Flashpoint (05.06.17)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

"Perfect Insanity" by Disturbed plays as a video package is shown of various FGA grapplers making their way through various entranceways. The video then switches to various FGA grapplers getting kicked, punched, slammed, suplexed and dropped onto the mat....

Come inside and be afraid
Of this impressive mess I've made
If you take a look now you will find

I have thrown away my vice
Done away with paradise
See what's going on inside my mind
Please let me out
Please let me out
Please let me...

After dramatic slow motion shots of various grapplers flipping off the top turnbuckle, the video switches to the Flashpoint logo as the chorus kicks in.



The video fades to an outside shot of the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. We then transition inside to a wide shot of the arena. The camera then pans around, capturing the excited crowd. An FGA chant breaks out throughout several sections of the crowd...

Geoff Penzer: Hello fans and welcome to the first installment of Flashpoint! I am your host, Geoff Penzer! Tonight, FGA will be kicking the first episode of Flashpoint off with a Pride Battle Royal! The last two participants remaining will face off later on in the evening. The winner of that match will then go on to face Chris Madison for his Pride Champion at All-Star Showdown Six!

Speaking of All-Star Showdown Six, who will be getting the shot at FGA Undisputed Champion Izzy Anders? Will it be Cordy Stevenson, the former champion? Or will it be Johnny Karma, the man that won the 2017 Gold Rush Rumble? Many fans would say that since Karma won the Rumble, he’s already got himself a guaranteed shot at the title at All-Star Showdown. But what about Saint Sexy? After everything she went through just to win the belt and defend it, she should be entitled to some type of a rematch. Especially considering the fact that she was screwed out of the championship by Anders and her Heroes Never Die teammate, Savannah Taylor. With All-Star Showdown now being two nights, will be see Anders defend against Stevenson on Night 1 with the winner facing Karma on Night 2? Will Stevenson be left out on the cold? Or will Anders be forced to defend against Karma and Stevenson? We’ll look to find those answers here tonight.

But one thing is for sure, both Stevenson and Karma will be going one on one in the first ever main event here on Flashpoint. In the past, Stevenson has had Karma’s number. But the Karma of 2017 is a much different Karma from the one Stevenson faced all those years ago. That match should be electric!

But that’s not all! We’ve also got non-title action between the World Tag Team Champions, the Elysian Empire, and arguably their top contenders, the PolyChromatic Lion Attack Squad! We’ve also got the FGA in-ring debuts of Logan Alexander, Pedro Gonzales, Maritza Diaz and the Serpent’s Touch! All that and more is coming your way here tonight.


But right now, let’s send it to the ring where the lovely Melanie Sierra is ready to kick things off with the in-ring introductions. Melanie...

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, this is our opening contest and it is... the PRIIIDE Battle Royal! The match will continue until nine of the eleven Grapplers have been thrown over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. The final two will compete later this evening to determine the new number one contender to the FGA Pride Championship!

The announcement garners a pop from the audience... which devolves into a rowdy chorus of boos as “Can You Feel It?” hits the PA.

As multicolored strobes flicker throughout the darkened arena, Evan Envi struts through the curtains toward the top of the ramp. He pauses, looking out among the audience before casually making his way toward the ring, seemingly ignorant to the boos and jeers raining down on him. Finally, as Envi leaps onto the apron, our lights return to normal. Envi climbs the turnbuckles from the apron, grinning out into the audience, raising the double “V” fingers into the air before finally stepping over the ropes and dropping into the ring, fingers still raised above his head as he marches across the ring toward ring announcer, Melanie Sierra.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing fir--

Envi calmly takes the mic from Melanie, turning toward the audience with another grin as his music fades. The boos sound intensified as a result. Envi shrugs, shaking his head a little.

Evan Envi: Introducing first, ladies, gentlemen, and Aldridge... is your 2017 Gold Rush Rumble IROOOONNNN MAAAAAAAAN... the vegan-driven mountain of a man himself, the source of your inspiration, the CHIEF, Evan... ENVI!

The boos rain down even louder than before, but Evan doesn't look deterred. He raises a hand to shush the audience.

Evan Envi: And yeah, a cheap shot from Chandler Scott ruined the dream. For me. For ALL of us. And yeah, making it so close to the end-- the final three, may I add-- and coming up short was a heartbreaking experience but look at the logic here. With my experience, my natural gifts, and my ability to cling to those ropes like the world's most dynamic spider-monkey, there's no way I'm walking out of-- ehhhh-- Springfield without becoming the number one contender to Chris Madison's Pride Championship. In fact, why don't we roll some of my highlights from the Gold Rush Rumble JUST in case there's someone out there that doubts--

Short Change Hero by The Heavy begins to play through the speakers and the lights in the arena simultaneously dim down. Smoke begins to rise from the top of the stage and appearing on the screen above are the following words;

A massive pop ensues as emerging from the back is the self proclaimed "Prince of CHAOS", Mark Storm; who keeps himself composed as he stands at the top of the entrance ramp. He can't help but allow his sadistic signature smirk to appear upon his lips as he closes his eyes and spreads his arms out wide, soaking in the energy that the audience are giving him as they applaud and cheer.

Microphone in hand, he looks down to the ring and see's the disgust in the face of Evan Envi but nevertheless, he makes his way down the entrance ramp. 

Mark Storm: Evan, Evan, Evan... 

He pauses, allowing the cheers of the audience to die down a little and at the same time he waits for his music to be cut, having to signal to the technical team that it was now his time on the microphone. 

Mark Storm: Congratulations first and foremost, it's an impressive mark to have on your resume and you delivered, I have no doubt about that. But you're talkin' like these great people here in Springfield wanted you to win! That's not the case, my friend.

Another cheer ensues once Springfield is mentioned and at this point, Mark is walking up the ring steps, entering the ring and walking towards the center of it, with Envi now on the outside fuming. 

Mark Storm: These people Evan, the thousands in attendance and the stack load who were watching at home, who they wanted to see come out as the victor - is Your Hero, And Mine! 

Leaning over the ropes, he glances at Evan and his signature smirk appears upon his lips whilst the audience applaud Storm, who backs away from the ropes and back to the center of the ring. 

Mark Storm: And I know, for a fact, that they'll be wanting the same result here tonight! For Your Hero and Mine to walk out of Springfield as the NEW -- number one contender for the Frontier Grappling Arts Pride Championship! 

Lowering the microphone, Storm embraces the warmth and love from the fans, looking around the arena with a look of optimism as he nods his head. He turns toward Envi on the outside and shrugs his shoulder, not being able to hide the grin from his face, he goes over to Melanie Sierra, handing the microphone over.

Luke comes out with a huge smile on his face basking in the glory of wrestling. He has a black wife beater on and backwards Oakland As' cap on. He slaps the hands of fans on his way down to the ring.

Melanie Sierra: From Oakland, California! Weighing in at 195 pounds… LUKE JACKSON!!!

The signature guitar riff of “Psycho” by Muse blasts into the excited air and a chorus of boos emanates from the sold out arena. The drums start pounding away and Stunray strides out onto the stage with his arms outstretched into the air. The camera zooms up to him as he stops dead center on the FGA stage. He moves his outstretched hands inward multiple times as if he’s asking for more negativity. He puts his arms down and begins to walk down the ramp towards the squared circle.

Melanie Sierra: From Rochester, New York! Weighing in at 235 pounds… STUNRAY!!!

Acoustic chords of "Nothing Personal" by Night Riots echo through the sound system. When the hard hitting chorus hits, Daniel Widdel steps on stage. He extends out his arms out to his sides leaning his head back soaking in the positive reaction from the fans. Daniel lowers his arms to pause for a moment to take in everything.

Melanie Sierra: From Windsor, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 215 pounds… DANIEL WIDDEL!!!

Daniel eyed the ring while he walked down the walkway….

The house lights go down, and the arena stays black during the garbled opening guitar rift, then, "Okay." Strobe lights move with the easy beat of the song. James appears at the top of the ramp with the hood on his ring jacket up. He takes a few moments survey everything before him. The hood goes down with the opening lyrics.

Melanie Sierra: From Lexington, Kentucky! Weighing in at 204 pounds… JAMES EDWARDS!!!

Moving with the meandering pace of the music, his eyes never leave the ring. He laps the squared circle, slides under the bottom ropes, and bows martial arts style to all four corners before settling into his own.

"If you take a life, do you know what you'll give...
Odds are, you won't like what it is...
When the storm arrives, would you be seen with me...
By the merciless eyes I've deceived...
I've seen angels fall from blinding heights...
But you yourself are nothing so divine...
Just next in line..."

The house lights dim in the smaller facility, and multi-colored lights soon flicker throughout the filled-to-the-brim center. The crowd jumps to it's feet, blowing the roof off from the much smaller arena as Chris Bond makes his way out from behind the curtains. As he emerges from behind the curtain, there is a small burst of excitement from the crowd. With a spotlight lighting his way, Bond makes his way down the aisle and towards the ring, even slapping a few hands on the way down.

Melanie Sierra: Currently residing out of Greensboro, North Carolina1 Weighing in at 242 pounds… CHRIS BOND!!!

The hard bass beat of Run The Jewels' "Blockbuster Night Part I" vibrates throughout the arena as the crowd immediately look down the isle way in anticipation of the man about to step out from behind the curtain.

'Bunches and bunches
Punches is thrown until you’re frontless
Oodles and oodles
Bang bullets at suckers' noodles
Last album? Voodoo!
Proved that we was fuckin' brutal
I’m talking crazy, half past the clock is cuckoo'

As soon as Killer Mike spits the first words of the song, "Indestructible" Owen Gonsalves steps through to a pop from the audience as he flips up the collar of his old mentor's ring jacket and begins to analyse the crowd. Once El-P's verse begins, The Submission Alchemist immediately begins to walk down towards the ring, mouthing the words to the song as he acknowledges a few of the folks in the front row.

Melanie Sierra: From Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 195 pounds… OWEN GONSALVES!!!

'Look at these kiddies, Mike
I'm a rat-a-tat 'em for living
I deal in dirty work
Do the deed and then dash
Ditch 'em'

Having made his way to the bottom of the ramp, Owen starts shadow boxing to the camera at the bottom of the ramp before throwing an elbow in the camera's direction as El-P says 'ditch 'em'. Owen climbs on the apron and up on the second turnbuckle, looking out to the audience before hopping in the ring.

There was silence; the lights began to fade away slowly. A soft instrumental echoes out across the audience. It starts slowly, a beautiful sound that contrasts the heaviness of the world. Like feathers, it glides among the waiting audience. The lighting fixtures produce a gentle spotlight upon the stage, offset by the occasional flash here and there. As the song continues, a woman’s words begin to come through. Her voice is tender, not raising upon a whisper.

Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see
Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be
One night in the dark, a vision of someone I knew
And in the darkness I saw, a voice say, I'm you.

On the stage, a feminine figure appears. Her head lowered to everything. People cannot make out who it is. As she stands there, the flashes briefly illuminate her figure. It only gives small clues on who stands at the gate. She stands in the spotlight, her shadow cast large and proudly among the stage.

Inside me a light was turned on…

The instrumental picks up again. An electric guitar now joins the progressively exciting instrumentals of before. The singer’s voice suddenly intensifies.

Then I was alive!

In the light, it is revealed that it was Savannah Taylor. She stands at the gate, a robe of obsidian and ivory hues. The hood of it shadows her eyes, but the intensity of the final EXODUS World Champion remains clear as day. She starts off down the ramp, with a serious aura radiating from her body.

Melanie Sierra: From Las Vegas, Nevada… SAVANNAH TAYLOR!!!

“Lose My Breath” by Destiny's Child starts to play over the PA, and the lights dim as Noelle steps from behind the curtain, a wide smile on her face as she waves to the fans before doing a few provocative dance moves as the lyrics cue up.

Melanie Sierra: From Orlando, Florida… NOELLE SMITH!!!

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my (hah hah)
Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah hah)

She does an athletic somersault forward to take her half down the ramp and then rushes the ring...

“Amazing” by Kanye West hits, lifting the fans to their feet in a fit of rage. White and pink strobe lights start to flash throughout the arena.

It's amazing
I'm the reason
Everybody fired up this evening

I'm exhausted
Barely breathing
Holding on to what I believe in

No matter what
You'll never take that from me
My reign is as far as your eyes can see

Ricky Valero emerges from the back amidst a cloud of fog. With that trademark smirk stretched across his face, he scans the arena with hubris. He puts his legs together, extends his arms outward, throws his head back and basks in the building’s negative energy.

Melanie Sierra: And from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 227 pounds… RICKY VALERO!!!

It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin', it's amazin'
So amazin', so amazin', so amazin', it's amazin' (Let's go)

He makes his way toward the ring intentionally ignoring the outstretched hands of front row fans along his route. He circles the ring, before reaching the far corner. Slowly he climbs up the steps and leans his back against the ropes, bouncing against them a few times with his arms wrapped over top of them before slipping into the ring.

I'm a monster
I'm a killer
I know I'm wrong, yeah

I'm a problem
That'll never
Ever be solved

And no matter what
You'll never take that from me
My reign is as far as your eyes can see

Ricky spins around in the center of the ring with his arms extended out, absorbing the crowd's disdain. He walks towards the ropes on the far side of the ring and simply smiles. The music slowly quiets down as Ricky turns and leans against the ropes closest to the entranceway, awaiting the opening bell.

Geoff Penzer: All of these competitors are rip-roaring and ready to go here in this Battle Royal. The chance to compete for one of the most prestigious prizes in all of wrestling will be on the line. But again, this isn’t your standard Battle Royal or Gold Rush Rumble where the last grappler standing wins. In this one, it’ll be the last two participants standing that win. Who will it be? We’re about to find out! Here we go!

The bell sounds as Gonsalves, Bond and Jackson all rush over and triple team Valero to cheers from the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: Gonsalves, Bond and Jackson wasted little time going right after Valero! Unfortunately for Valero, Bristow & Barnes aren’t in this match to save him.

Bond takes Valero and nails him with a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. Jackson then delivers a series of chops of his own. Gonsalves then takes Valero and nails him with a series of shoot kicks to the chest, followed by a series of European Uppercuts. With the help of Bond and Jackson, Gonsalves takes Valero and tries to dump him over the top rope. But Taylor is there to pull Valero back inside before blasting Jackson in the face with a right hand.

Geoff Penzer: Valero’s bacon just got saved by the Las Vegas Siren!

In the middle of the ring, Envi and Storm are seen trading blows back and forth. The two continue to exchange punches until Storm ducks an Envi right hook and counters with a punch of his own. Storm then blocks an Envi punch before countering with a punch of his own. He nails Envi with three more punches before heading towards the ropes. Storm uses his momentum to go for the Storm Search (springboard cutter). But Envi counters with a single knee lungblower flipped into a crossface

Geoff Penzer: The Backpack Attack! What a counter there by “The Chief”!

Envi taunts Storm while tugging back on the neck. But the boos turn to cheers when Smith runs over and connects with a low angle dropkick, knocking Envi off of Storm. Smith then picks up Envi, moves him into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Envi around, she lights up his chest with a series of knife edge chops.

In another part of the ring, Widdel and Stunray are seen finally slugging it out. The two grapplers continue to trade blows until Stunray nails Widdel with a knee strike to the midsection. He then takes Widdel, runs and tosses him over the top rope. But Widdel lands on the apron before quickly scooting himself back in underneath the bottom rope. Back across the ring, Edwards turns Stunray around and nails him with a series of right hands to the face. He then goes for an irish whip. But Stunray reverses, sending him into the ropes. When Widdel returns, he knocks Stunray down with the Poleshift (rolling wheel kick).

Across the ring, Jackson grabs Taylor around the legs and tries to dump her over the top rope. But Taylor nails Jackson with an elbow to the face. Nearby, Bond holds Valero’s arms back while Gonsalves nails him with repeated European Uppercut. Once Bond lets go, Gonsalves holds Valero’s arms back before Bond lights up his chest with knife edge chops. After a boot to the midsection from Bond, Gonsalves helps Bond lifts Valero up before planting him with a spike cradle piledriver.

Geoff Penzer: Valero just got dropped right on his head by Gonsalves and Bond! He might be just about out of it after that double team piledriver.

Taylor takes Jackson and goes for an irish whip. But Jackson reverses, sending Taylor into the corner. Jackson then runs across the ring, jumps up and nails Taylor with a Superman Punch. While she staggers from out of the corner, Jackson turns and runs into the ropes. When he returns, Edwards cuts him off with a running STO. He then picks up Jackson and whips him hard into the corner. After crashing sternum-first into the top turnbuckle, Jackson stumbles back towards Edwards, who throws him down with the Halcut Kai (release reverse exploder suplex). Edwards then pulls up Jackson from behind before connecting with the Second Gospel (rainmaker bicycle knee strike). He then takes a dazed Jackson by the back of the neck, runs and tosses him over the top rope and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Luke Jackson has been ELIMINATED!

Geoff Penzer: We’ve got our first elimination of the match with Luke Jackson being sent to the floor. Valero would be happy to see that, but he’s still in between a rock and a hard place in there.

Across the ring, Valero is placed chest-first against the ropes. Gonsalves and Bond then each grab a leg before trying to dump Valero over the rope rope. Valero’s almost over when Taylor comes up from behind and nails Bond with a clubbing strike across the back. Valero then reaches back and thumbs Gonsalves in the eye while Taylor rakes Bond across the eyes.

Geoff Penzer: Taylor once again with the timely save for Ricky Valero.

After Valero slips back down, he takes Gonsalves, places him in a side headlock and rakes his face along the top rope. After letting go, Gonsalves staggers into a nearby corner. Valero then turns Gonsalves around before sending him slumping down in the corner with a flurry of right hands. After several stomps to the chest, Valero chokes Gonsalves while pulling down on the top rope.

Meanwhile, Smith takes Envi and goes for an irish whip. But Envi reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Smith returns, Envi sets up for a back body drop. But Smith stops and places him in a front facelock. She’s got him set up for Swing, Set, Match (swinging neckbreaker). But before she can deliver the move, Envi lifts her up, charges across the ring and rams her back-first into the corner. When Envi steps up, he nails Smith with alternating European Uppercuts and knife edge chops while yelling “WOOOOO!” between each move. He then takes Smith and goes for an irish whip. But Smith reverses, sending Envi over towards Storm, who throws him down with a back body drop in the middle of the ring. As Envi gets up, he gets hit with right and lefts slaps, followed by a shoot kick to the leg, followed by a spinning back fist, followed by a roaring lariat that knocks him backwards into the corner. Storm then heads over and nails Envi with several shoot kicks to the chest. When Storm moves out of the way, Smith runs across the ring, hops on Envi and monkey flips him out of the corner. Storm then stays on the lookout while Smith heads out onto the apron. Envi returns to his feet. But he quickly quickly knocked back down by a springboard flying knee from Smith. Storm then runs over and connects with a standing Shooting Star Press.

Geoff Penzer: Envi on the receiving end of yet another double team. Just like with Valero, his backup, Camp Envi, is not in the match, meaning he has to fend for himself!

Storm and Smith pick up Envi, run and toss him over the top rope. As they return to face their other competitors, Envi hangs on for dear life from the top rope. His left foot touches the floor, but he’s got his right foot raised. His right foot then hits the floor. But not before lifting up his left foot.

Geoff Penzer: Envi avoids elimination. But just barely.

Back in the ring, Widdle nails Stunray with a series of shoulder thrusts in the corner. He follows up with an uppercut that rocks him. Widdel then brings Stunray from out of the corner and whips him into the far ropes. When Stunray returns, Widdel grabs him by the back of the neck and runs towards the ropes. But instead of tossing Stunray over the top rope, Stunray turns, grabs Widdel by the back of the neck and tosses him over the top rope. But instead of falling to the floor, Widdel lands on the apron. As Widdel pulls himself up using the ropes, Stunray runs over towards the corner and connects with a triangle dropkick, knocking Widdel off the apron and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Daniel Widdel has been ELIMINATED!

Geoff Penzer: There goes Widdel!

Widdel returns to his feet and slaps the canvas out of frustration as he looks at Stunray. While Stunray continue to look at Widdel, Smith comes up from behind and dump Stunray over the top rope and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Stunray has been ELIMINATED!

Geoff Penzer: Stunray had his back turned and it cost him big time!

Back in the ring, Valero takes Gonsalves and goes for an irish whip. But Gonsalves reverses, sending Valero into the opposite corner. Gonsalves then charges across the ring to attack. But Valero ducks and dumps him over the top rope. When Gonsalves lands on his feet, Valero immediately goes for a pelé kick. But Gonsalves ducks the move. When Valero returns to his feet and turns around, Gonsalves doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. He then tries to suplex Valero to the outside, but Valero blocks the move. Gonsalves then tries to muscle Valero up for a suplex to the floor. Valero is lifted up. But he kicks his legs, forcing Gonsalves to lower him back down. He then grabs Gonsalves and goes for a vertical suplex back into the ring. But Gonsalves slips down from behind, grabs Valero by the wrist and locks him down wit the Darkest Lariat (wristlock short-arm lariat).

Meanwhile, Edwards lifts up Storm for a belly to back suplex. But Storm rolls over his shoulder and lands on his feet. When Edwards turns around, Storm throws out a discus clothesline. But Edwards ducks. When Storm turns around, he gets caught with the Double Tap (consecutive spinning backfists). While Storm is dazed, Edwards turns and runs towards the ropes. When he returns, he throws out a lariat. But Storm ducks and runs towards the ropes. When Edwards turns around, Storm brings him down with the Storm Search.

Across the way, Bond takes Taylor and whips her into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Bond sets up for a back body drop. But Taylor counters and plants him with a DDT. She then heads into the corner and waits for Bond to get up. Once Bond gets up on one knee, Taylor runs over and goes for a Shining Wizard. But Bond ducks and quickly lifts Taylor up across his shoulders. He makes his way over towards the ropes and tries to dump her down to the floor with a fireman’s carry. But Taylor reaches out and grabs onto the top rope with both hands. Bond continues to try and dump her to the outside. But its to no avail. She then reaches down and rakes him across the eyes before slipping down from behind. Taylor quickly grabs Bond before driving him down with Blonde Ambition (Forward Russian Legsweep).

On the outside, Envi can be seen “skinning the cat” and pulling himself back into the ring. When Envi turns around, Storm runs over and connects with a discus clothesline, sending Envi over the top rope. But instead of crashing onto the floor, he lands on the apron. Storm then tries to kick Envi off the apron. But Envi wisely wraps his arms and legs around the bottom rope.

Meanwhile Taylor picks up Bond, moves him against the ropes, grabs him by the leg and dumps him over the top rope and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Chris Bond has been ELIMINATED!

Geoff Penzer: Bond’s dreams of becoming a three-time Pride Champion have been put on hold after that elimination.

Gonsalves takes Valero and goes for an irish whip. But Valero reverses, sending Gonsalves into the corner. Valero then charges into the corner, but he gets knocked back by a boot to the face. Gonsalves then runs from out of the corner to attack. But Valero counters with an overhead belly to belly suplex. As Gonsalves turns over and gets back to his feet, Valero runs over and connects with a front dropkick, knocking Gonsalves backwards into the corner. After Gonsalves bounces out of the corner, Valero heads onto the apron before climbing to the top turnbuckle.

Geoff Penzer: I don’t know how wise it is to go to the top turnbuckle in a match like this...

Valero leaps off and goes for Burying The Hatchet (diving double foot stomp). But Gonsalves rolls out of the way. Once Valero lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward. When Valero rolls to his feet and turns around, he turns into the Soul-Stealing 7 Star Strike (bicycle knee strike). While Valero is dazed, Gonsalves turns, runs towards the ropes and brings Valero down with the Genesis Supernova (handspring cutter). Gonsalves then goes to follow up with the Malicious Moonsault (standing moonsault double knee drop). But Valero rolls out of the way, causing Gonsalves to crash neef-first onto the canvas. Valero then quickly gets to his feet, grabs Gonsalves from behind, runs and tosses him over the top rope…

But instead of crashing to the floor, Gonsalves hangs for dear life from the top rope. He the “skins the cat” and pulls himself back into the ring. When Gonsalves turns around, Valero runs over to throw out a clothesline. But Gonsalves ducks and dumps him over the top rope and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Ricky Valero has been ELIMINATED!

Geoff Penzer: There goes Valero!

Storm picks up Envi and whips him into the ropes. When Envi returns, Storm scoops him up across his shoulder. Before Storm can put him in position for a Tombstone Piledriver, Envi slips down from behind before shoving Storm into the ropes. When Storm returns, Envi knocks him down with a Kapowski Kick (quick spinning heel kick). Envi returns to his feet and celebrates. But the celebration is nearly costs his him when Smith grabs him from behind, runs and goes to toss him over the top rope. But Envi wisely wraps his arms around the top rope. So Smith then reaches down, wraps her arms around one of Envi’s legs and goes to lift him out over the top rope. She’s got Envi up. But Envi is able to reach back and rakes her across the eyes. The boos continue as he takes Smith, presses her up against the ropes and tries to dump her over the top rope. But Envi gets attacked from behind by Storm. The cheers continue as Storm turns Envi around and knocks him into the corner with a series of punches to the face.

Across the ring, Edwards can be seen delivering a ballistic combination of rights and lefts to Taylor in the corner. When he turns around, he sees Storm grabbing Envi by the arm. The two then nod at each other before whipping Taylor and Envi out of their respective corners and sending them crashing in the center of the ring. As Taylor and Envi stumble back, Edwards grabs Taylor and throws her down with the Halfcut Kai. Meanwhile, Storm delivers an inverted exploder suplex of his own.

Gonsalves then takes Edwards from behind, marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Edwards around, Gonsalves nails him with several shoot kicks to the midsection before trying to dump him over the top rope. But Edwards stops him by delivering several hammerfists to the top of the head.

Geoff Penzer: Edwards avoids being dumped to the floor.

Across the ring, Smith takes Envi moves him into the corner and delivers rapid super stiff knees from the Muay Thai Clinch. After stepping back towards the center of the ring, Smith runs back into the corner and connects with a step-up enzuigiri, sending Envi staggering out of the corner along the ropes. She then returns to her feet and heads into the far ropes. When Smith returns, she goes for a clothesline over the top rope. But Envi grabs the top rope and drops down, sending Smith over the top rope and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Noelle Smith has been ELIMINATED!

Back in the ring, Edwards grabs Taylor from behind and sets her up for the Second Gospel. But before he can hit the jumping high knee, Taylor counters with the Desert Rose (spinning backfist). After a knee to the midsection doubles Edwards over, she wraps her leg around one of his arms, places him in a front facelock and drives him down with the Siren’s Song (scissored DDT). Both she and Storm then take Edwards, brings him over and dumps him over the top rope and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: James Edwards has been ELIMINATED!

Taylor then immediately tries to dump Storm over the top rope. But Storm fights back with a series of elbows to the face. Just then, Envi comes up from behind with a clubbing strike across the back of the neck. Both Envi and Taylor then double team Storm with clubbing shots. Once they move Storm into the corner, they try to dump him over the top rope. Storm tries to hang on by hooking his arms over the top ropes.

Geoff Penzer: Storm’s teetering on the ropes! He’s almost out!

Both Envi and Taylor continue to try and lift Storm over the top rope. But he gets saved by Gonsalves, who nails Taylor with a kick to the midsection.

Gonsalves brings Taylor away from the corner and goes for an irish whip. But Taylor reverses, sending Gonsalves into the ropes. When he returns, he brings Taylor down with a Sling Blade. The cheers continue as Gonsalves picks up Taylor, moves her into the corner and delivers multiple shoot kicks to the chest. He then turns Taylor around, grabs her by the legs and goes to dump her over the top rope and to the floor. Taylor tries to fight hang on by grabbing the ropes. But Gonsalves continues to lift her up. He’s nearly got her up over the ropes when Valero slides back into the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Where did he come from!? He’s already been eliminated!

Valero runs up from behind, grabs Gonsalves and dumps him over the top rope. While Taylor lands on the apron, Gonsalves falls to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Owen Gonsalves has been ELIMINATED!

Boos erupts throughout the MassMutual Center as Valero makes his way back up the aisle.

Geoff Penzer: Valero has once again screwed over Owen Gonsalves!

Storm takes Envi and goes for an irish whip. But Envi reverses, sending Storm into the ropes. When Storm returns, Envi throws him down with a Uranage and follows up with a running Shooting Star Press. He then picks up Storm, runs and tosses him over the top rope. But instead of crashing to the floor, Storm lands safely on the apron. Envi then runs back over to attack. But Storm slides back in underneath Envi’s legs. When Envi turns around, Storm gets to his feet and throws out a bicycle knee strike. But Envi side steps, swats him down, grabs him from behind and sets up for a German Suplex. But Storm blocks the move. Envi then tries to muscle him up or another German Suplex. But again, Storm blocks the move. After an elbow to the face, Storm performs a standing switch and goes for a German of his own. But Envi elbows him in the face on the way up. After another elbow to the face, Envi performs a standing switch, slips on a side headlock and goes for a running bulldog. But Storm shoves Envi off of him and into the ropes. When Envi returns, Storm doubles him over with a kick to the midsection. He then lifts Envi up for a gutwrench powerbomb. When Envi is lifted up onto Storm’s shoulders, he nails Storm with several short-range punches to the face before following up with a hurricanrana.

Envi picks up Storm and nails him with a European Uppercut before whipping him into the ropes. When Storm returns, Envi throws out a superkick. But Storm catches his foot before swinging Envi’s leg away from him. When Envi turns back around, Storm scoops him up across his shoulders for Dystopia (GTS). Envi tries to block the move by naling Storm with repeated elbows to the face. But Storm fights throw it and delivers Dystopia. As Envi stumbles back, Storm runs over and connects with a clothesline, sending Envi over the top rope and to the floor.

Melanie Sierra: Evan Envi has been ELIMINATED!

“Short Change Hero” blasts over the PA.

Melanie Sierra: Here are your winners, MARK STORM and SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

Storm and Taylor look at each other from opposite sides of the ring. Taylor then exits the ring before raising her arms in the air.

Geoff Penzer: Mark Storm and Savannah Taylor have outlasted the competition. We’ll be seeing them compete one on one later on tonight. The winner will go on to face Chris Madison at All-Star Showdown Six. Frankie Morrison has openly stated that he’d love to see his client and Mark Storm go at it. But Taylor has been eyeing that Pride Championship for quite some time. Who is next in line for a title shot? We’ll find out later on tonight! We’ll be right back after this...

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

Amanda Johnson is standing in front of the camera somewhere backstage in the MassMutual Center. She smiles for the camera.

Amanda Johnson: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am Amanda Johnson and I’m standing here right now with recent addition to FGA’s roster, Logan Alexander, who will be taking part in his debut match here tonight on Flashpoint’s first episode.

The camera pans to Amanda’s left and there we see Logan, standing in his ring gear. He nods slightly to Amanda in acknowledgement of his introduction then smiles a bit towards the camera.

Amanda Johnson: So Logan, how are you feeling heading into your first match here in FGA and facing off with John Blade?

Logan Alexander: Calm. Relaxed. Prepared. I’ve been getting ready for this match for a couple of weeks now. I think I’m ready to go out there. It’s been about three years and one month since I set foot in a professional wrestling ring in front of a crowd like this and tried to put on a show. I’m looking forward to the opportunity here. I’m ready to give Big John Match a fight out there.

Amanda Johnson: Do you have any concerns about being back in the ring after such a long time away?

Logan smirks before he replies.

Logan Alexander: Of course. There are always concerns. I could go out there and fail spectacularly. Wouldn’t that be a treat? Three years in waiting, then just go out and flop here in front of the Springfield audience because I can’t compete on that level anymore. Or worse, maybe I’ll get dropped by John at some point in our match and suffer some sort of injury because my body can’t handle the punishment.

He shakes his head slightly.

Logan Alexander: I’ve done my best to mitigate those potential issues though. I haven’t competed professionally in a long time, but I have been inside plenty of wrestling rings over the last couple of years. I didn’t have many serious matches until about half a year ago, but even before that I put in plenty of time getting into shape and practicing what I know. I didn’t just sign a contract a month ago and figure I’d show up without any preparation. I’ve been getting ready for this moment for the better part of a year. I’ve worked my way up to it, and now, I’m ready to go out there and see if I can match the performances I used to put out when I was a full time talent in the ring.

Amanda Johnson: Speaking of your previous time as a competitor, I have looked into your time with the last couple of promotions you’ve wrestled for. You certainly do have a past that displays a high degree of skill and accomplishments. It could say a lot about what your time here will…

Logan holds up one hand.

Logan Alexander: Hold on a moment there, Amanda. I’m sure there are some people who’d like to talk about their past and the great things they’ve done elsewhere and I can probably guess some of the details you might bring up about mine.

He starts counting off points on his fingers.

Logan Alexander: I’ve been in about half a dozen promotions. I’ve had almost twenty championship reigns to my name. I’ve won big pay per view matches. I have several high four and five star matches to my name. Yada yada yada. But honestly, all of that stuff is meaningless now. Sure, I can always look back on those days fondly, but they don’t really matter in the current moment.

Logan lowers his hands and then looks towards the camera.

Logan Alexander: I may have been one of the best competitors in the promotions I’ve been a part of, but I didn’t start out in that position. I had to work my way up and then fight to remain there. Even if I was the best in one company, there was no guarantee I’d be the best in the next one I went to. No matter how similar the circumstances are, the situations are never exactly the same. So, even with the same people involved, there’s always room for doubt. The same holds true here in FGA. After all, if the past truly predicted the future, nothing unexpected would ever occur and how many promotions can actually claim that?

He smirks slightly before continuing.

Logan Alexander: The only things that I truly carry with me to this point are the experiences I’ve gained from competition. Even then, experience isn’t the only thing that matters out there. If that was true, no rookie would ever succeed and the old guard would dominate everywhere.

Logan adopts a more serious look as he keeps his focus on the camera.

Logan Alexander: I’m not here to let my arrogance and ego get the better of me. I put them aside when I make my way out to the ring. I don’t go out there assuming I’m the better wrestler because of what I’ve done before. Instead, I go out there with the determination to prove that I can be the better wrestler and then I put in the work to try and make it happen. I do what I can to earn my place. I never assume that it’s just going to be given to me or that I can demand it whenever I want.

Later on in that ring tonight, I’m going to climb into the ring with John Blade and I’m going to start earning my place here in FGA.

Looking back over at Amanda, Logan smirks once again.

Logan Alexander: So, I’ll see you on the other side of that one Amanda.

With that, Logan turns away from Amanda and heads off. Amanda looks back to the camera.

Amanda Johnson: He certainly sounds ready for his debut tonight, folks. We’ll see just how that pans out later on Flashpoint.

The scene then fades over to...

[FGA Office]

Any other time, Maritza Diaz would be walking into an arena cheerful, confident, and ready for action. She's a good person, the type that inspires anyone she meets. Or, you know, at least the ones that aren't complete assholes. Win or lose, she often enters the ring with grace and leaves it with lessons learned. Yep. Most nights, she's usually pretty damn awesome.

Tonight is not one of those nights.

Tonight, the Power Princess is fuming. The insults of other adversaries in other promotions are dancing in her head and making her blood boil. She's storming in the view of yet another well placed camera that seems to stalk everyone around here and naturally, Pedro Gonzales runs beside her.

Pedro Gonzales: Are you okay?

Maritza Diaz: Yes.

Pedro Gonzales: Are you sure you're okay?

Maritza Diaz: Yes.

Not convinced, Mexico City's Favorite Son steps in front of her. This naturally forces her to stop. She's pissed. But not pissed enough to run over her boyfriend.

Pedro Gonzales: Prinnnnncesssss...

The sing-songy tones force her to crack a small smile.

Maritza Diaz: I'll be fine, Papi. I promise.

? : Well, well, well...

The camera pans to reveal Faye Valentine suddenly standing beside Pedro and Maritza, a sinister grin on her beautiful face, while the silent but deadly Kimiko, the lower half of her face covered with a bandana designed to look like an oni's jaw, stands behind Valentine with arms on either side of her body. Valentine is mocking Pedro and Maritza with a slow clap. Kimiko just glares at them. Maritza reverts back to a scowl. Pedro simply sighs.

Faye Valentine: Hey, Kimmie. You ever seen an episode of 3GW before?

Valentine does not turn to Kimiko, her full "playful" attention to Pedro and Maritza. The Divine Valentine keeps her sinister grin but then turns to Maritza, narrowing her eyes, and winks at her unexpectedly. She blows her a kiss before chuckling to herself. Kimiko does not budge, content in retaining her steely gaze on the couple.

Faye Valentine: This here's Pedro Gonzales. Bueno Club, right? Pretty cool. I used to watch you. You're really good. Keyword's "used to," though. Somewhere along the line, you kinda got stale, maybe even killed 3GW singlehandedly.

Maritza begins to take a step ahead, seeming to clean Valentine's clock ahead of time only for Pedro to put a hand on her shoulder.

Pedro Gonzales: No, no. It's alright.

Diaz takes a step back but keeps her eyes fixed on the duo.

Pedro Gonzales: Bravo, Señora. How original is that insult? Nevermind that the logic is completely flawed. It only took you...what, five seconds to come up with that? It's funny. We try so hard not to be complete @$$h*les and give our opponents at least a tiny amount of respect. But if you want to play this game, I can come up with some bargain basement insults too. Watch.

He takes a deep breath and begins.

Pedro Gonzales: I'm happy to see you're not handcuffed to a porta-potty in a spaceship anymore, Miss Faye. God knows that must've been a major low point in your criminal past. That's not even mentioning the massive amounts of microphones you've rendered useless with your incessant screeching or however many groupies-slash-roadies you've blown on any given night or however many gallons of make up you put on to look like that much of a tramp.

Pedro Gonzales: And Kimmie...let's be honest. As much as I respect the fact that you're trying so hard to look like the Billy Badass of the duo, you just end up looking like an android whose facial expressions are eternally stuck on I-am-constipated-human-beep-boop. You probably sting like a butterfly and float like a cement block which coincidently is the equivalent of your entire personality.

Pedro shrugs.

Pedro Gonzales: See how easy that was?

Valentine chuckles in response. Kimiko reacts more terribly. She grunts and takes a step forward, ready to maul Pedro, but Valentine extends a hand in her way, stopping her from further escalating things. Kimiko turns to Valentine, a mix of confusion and anger in her eyes, but Valentine does not even steal a glimpse of her "friend." Instead, Valentine keeps her eyes on Pedro and Maritza.

Faye Valentine: Bargain basement insults, that's about right. The only way you make money these days is in bargain basements, whatever those things are. I didn't get the handcuffed, porta-potty, spaceship thing either. Must be bargain basement lingo. But how about, instead of those massive amounts of microphones or whatever, my friend and I render you and your paid-by-the-hour friend over here useless. Who knows? She might like what I have in between my legs better.

The two teams stare each other down, caught in a tense stand-off. Only Valentine is grinning. Kimiko continues staring daggers through Serpent's Touch's opponents for the night. Before things could end ugly, however...

?: Heeeeeey!

A familiar voice cuts through all the tension. Everyone seems confused at the intrusion. The camera pans once more and reveals The Spanish Sweetheart, El Guapo, Julian Tijerina, grinning from ear to ear.

Julian Tijerina: If it isn't my favorite baes, Serpent's Touch! You guys are debuting tonight, right? And on the first-ever Flashpoint! Talk about history in the making!

Julian turns to Pedro nonchalantly, handing him a shawarma.

Julian Tijerina: Here you go, amigo.

The microphone can barely pick up the squeal of delight as Pedro humbly takes the food and offers a bite or two to Maritza.

Pedro Gonzales: Gracias!

El Guapo licks some sauce off his right hand and turns back to Serpent's Touch.

Julian Tijerina: Who are your opponents again?

Valentine and Kimiko stare at Julian confused. Julian responds with the same confused stare. Julian turns to Pedro and Maritza. He turns back to Serpent's Touch. He turns back to Pedro and Maritza again who raise their hands confirming all the suspicions. His smile disappears and is replaced by concern mixed with sadness.

Julian Tijerina: Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no... Serpent's Touch, my hot mamacitas, versus my amigo, Pedro Gonzales, and his hot lady friend Maritza... This... This is terrible booking!

Pedro, to his credit, is equally sad and pats Julian on the back.

Pedro Gonzales: There, there. It's okay. We can handle the stupid, stupid booking.

And Maritza's just baffled over this.

Maritza Diaz: ...did he just call me hot?

Faye Valentine: What the hell is this? Julian!

Valentine shoots Julian a lethal glare. Kimiko does the same, complete with heavy breathing. Julian pauses, as if caught with his hand in a cookie jar. He narrows his eyes and shrugs.

Julian Tijerina: ...shawarma?

Julian carefully offers Valentine his shawarma. Valentine narrows her eyes in confusion. She raises an eyebrow as Julian continues to extend his reach, the tip of his shawarma, drowning in white sauce, inches from The Siren Seductress' purple lips. Valentine and Julian lock eyes, Valentine still a bit pissed off, but unexpectedly, she takes a bite of Julian's shawarma, sighing in defeat in between chews. Julian cheers, turning to Pedro whom he high-fives, before trying to do the same to an un-amused Kimiko. Julian slowly, carefully, offers Kimiko his shawarma, also extending his reach methodically, putting the tip of his shawarma closer against Kimiko's lips. Only inches between the shawarma and Kimiko's face exist now, the white sauce almost touching Kimiko's oni banda--- Kimiko swats the shawarma away, her sheer force sending it flying from Julian's well-manicured hands and against the nearest wall, splatting the delicious meal into oblivion.

Julian Tijerina: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Julian puts both hands on his cheeks as he continues shouting his dismay to the heavens in futility. Out of the blue, Kimiko slaps Julian. Caught offguard, Julian stops screaming, dead in his tracks. Julian stares at Kimiko in shock while Kimiko glares at him in fury. Valentine breaks the tension by stepping in between them.

Faye Valentine: I was actually asking about this.

Valentine points at Pedro.

Faye Valentine: What is with you and this...stale burrito? Is there something going on between you two?

Pedro attempts to speak but Julian puts a hand on his chest, gesturing for him to relax because he's got this, whatever this is.

Julian Tijerina: Oh, Pedro? Pedro's bueno. He's muy bueno. Right, amigo?

Pedro Gonzales: Oh, you humble me, amigo. I may be bueno but you are the most bueno.

Julian Tijerina: No, no, no. I may be guapo but you have to be mucho bueno. That just makes more sense.

Pedro Gonzales: No, I insist on you taking the complement. You are Rey del Bueno!

Although Maritza is still fuming, she can't help but laugh over these two grown men being complete dorks.

Julian Tijerina: Wait. Compromise.

A beat.

Julian Tijerina: We're the bueno.

Pedro's eyes nearly tear up with pride.

Pedro Gonzales: You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. UP TOP!

Julian and Pedro high five each other and give a rousing cheer. Valentine lets out a loud "ugh" before rolling her eyes. She shakes her head as she walks away. Kimiko continues glaring at everyone else, scaring Julian, Pedro, and Maritza, with Julian's hand finding its way on his chest, his jaw dropped open. Kimiko punks Julian before staring at him some more. Julian swallows air, flashing her an awkward smile. Kimiko shakes her head and walks away.

Pedro Gonzales: What's up with those two?

Pedro offers some of his shawarma to Julian while he continues chewing, eyes on Serpent's Touch. Julian shrugs, taking some of that shawarma.

Julian Tijerina: I have no idea, man. Those two are weird. This shawarma, though...

Julian exaggerates his love for the shawarma.

Pedro Gonzales: I know, right? Best food ever.

A moment passes as Pedro thinks that maybe he's over exaggerating the exaggeration. He gives a look to Maritza.

Pedro Gonzales: Well, the best that isn't cooked by you, my Princess.

Maritza Diaz: You're so ridiculous.

Pedro Gonzales: I know.

He grins before checking out the time. Julian is staring at the pair with a smile.

Pedro Gonzales: Damn. We gotta go. Hey--

He taps Julian on the chest.

Pedro Gonzales: We're still good for Saturday, right?

Julian extends both arms to either side, head tilted to one side with a huge grin.

Julian Tijerina: We're bueno for Sábado, amigo. Te veré, y Maritza, and we will have a really bueno time.

Julian and Pedro share a really tight hug that makes Maritza raise an eyebrow. A wink, a high five, and a handshake after, Pedro and Maritza walk away, leaving Julian still smiling as he looks towards where they're going. He puts both hands on his hips, still smiling, and heaves a heavy sigh of relief.

Julian Tijerina: Man, that shawarma was bueno.

Julian walks away, humming Pedro Gonzales' theme.

[FGA Office]

Serpent’s Touch vs. Pedro Gonzales and Maritza Diaz

The lights go out. A lone purple spotlight reveals the silhouettes of Faye Valentine and Kimiko through the smoke covering the stage. Kimiko has her head bowed, wearing a kendo stick on her back and her trademark oni bandana around the bottom half of her face. "Heart Killer" by Gossling begins to play, and The Divine Valentine sings her team's theme as the smoke slowly dissipates around them. Kimiko looks up, and with Faye Valentine right behind her, begins to walk down the ramp to the ring as the lone purple spotlight breaks into several purple spotlights, drowning the arena in a sea of royal blood.

I am known as a killer
A heart killer
I'll have it, so you don't know
I'm nothing but a mean foe

Kimiko's full attention is to the ring as Faye Valentine continues singing their theme, both making their respective ways down the ramp and towards the ring. While Kimiko does not turn to look at the fans, not to anyone, ignore everyone and everything in favor of her full concentration on the task at hand, Faye Valentine dances seductively and flirts with the fans at ringside, clearly enjoying the attention she's getting, and she's getting everyone's attention. Faye Valentine graces a fan at ringside with an intimate touch, sliding the tip of her two fingers across his cheek, as her voice helps him reach ecstasy, but she breaks off mere moments before he reaches nirvana. Faye Valentine smirks at him, leaving him, and the rest of the crowd, always wanting more.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 258 pounds! They are the team of Faye Valentine and Kimiko… THEEEE SERRRRPENTSSSS TOOOOOUUUCH!!!

I'm gonna be your partner
Your love partner
You're gonna take it real slow
I'll make sure that you let go

Kimiko grabs the middle rope from the floor and hoists herself up the apron. She gets in the ring without any theatrics. Faye Valentine, on the other hand, walks up the steel steps and lingers on the apron, facing the crowd. She dances for a bit before she spins around and inside the ring, straddling the ropes through which she entered the ring, as she continues singing. The crowd dances to their song, latching onto every word that slithers out of her lips. Meanwhile, Kimiko takes to the middle of the ring, bows to each side of the squared circle, and gets down on the mat as she takes the kendo stick from her back. She places the kendo stick right in front of her on the mat and bows to it three times. Finally, as Faye Valentine ends her performance, she whips her hair back and comes back down to the mat, grinning playfully at everyone, including the referee and their opponent. Kimiko gets up, walks to one side of the ring, and once again sits down with her back against the corner ring post, waiting. Faye surrenders her microphone to a stagehand and warms up before the match, another performance, begins.

“Fireball” by Willow ft Nicki Minaj fills the arena as Maritz Diaz slowly walks out to the stage in a long black and red silk robe, and a traditional Mongkon head piece. For a moment she simply smiles and looks out at the fans before uniting the belt on her robe and removing it completely. She does a double bicep pose before heading down to the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Our first of two tag team matches is about to get underway. In the ring right now is one of FGA’s newest team’s, the Serpent's Touch, who will be making their in-ring debuts in this one. The FGA tag division is starting to heat up here in FGA and Dynamic Duos hasn’t even started yet.

Melanie Sierra: And their opponents! First, from Miami, Florida! She is “The Power Princess” MAAAAAARITZAAAA DIIIIIIAAAAAZ!!!

As she walks she high fives fans as she passes before running and sliding under the bottom rope. Once in the ring she stands in the center rattling off a series of punches, elbow strikes, knees, and kicks in rapid succession before bowing and removing her Mongkon and Pra Jiad arm bands.

“BUENO CLUB! POR-R-R-R-R-R-R VIDA!”

“El Jefe” by Mexican Institute of Sound plays, acting every bit like some hyped up James Bond theme, as multicolored lights are everywhere in the arena. A spotlight hits on a lone figure with a red hooded cape who shuffles his feet atop the ramp. He keeps his head down before unveiling himself as Pedro Gonzales by taking off the cape with a flourish.

Melanie Sierra: And her partner, now residing out of Los Angeles, California! Weighing in at 115 pounds! He is “Mexico City’s Favorite Son”... PEEEEEDROOOO GOOOOONZAAAAAALESSSSSS!!!

Pedro spreads his arms out as he strolls leisurely past, slapping as many fans hands as possible all the while looking at the ring. Upon approaching the apron, he takes the 3GW Tag Team championship of his waist and kisses it before handing it and the cape to an attendant. Pedro then slides into the ring and stands on the top turnbuckle, raising a fist to a decent amount of approval from the fans before putting his feet back on that wonderful canvas where he’s sure to do pretty awesome stuff.

Geoff Penzer: Pedro Gonzales was one half of the Bueno Club, who were the last 3GW Tag Team Champions. Gonzales is gonna try and bring some of that tag success here to FGA with The Power Princess with the hopes that they will eventually find themselves in the Tag Title mix. But right now, standing across the ring from them is another new tag team looking to come out the gates strong.

After each side goes over a bit of strategy, it’s decided that Gonzales and Kimiko will be starting things off. Both grapplers begin to circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Gonzales gains the advantage with an arm wrench. The ref quickly goes over and asks Kimiko if he wants to give up. But Kimiko refuses. So Gonzales yanks on the arm before delivering another arm wrench. The ref checks back in and asks Kimiko if he wants to give up. But he continues to refuse. He then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. Gonzales then rolls forward, leans back, kips up, cartwheels over and reverses into another arm wrench. After blocking out the pain, Kimiko rolls forward, bridges back, spins over onto his knees, flips over with a headstand, spins in place and reverse into a hammerlock from behind. The ref checks in with Gonzales and asks him if he wants to give up. But Mexico’s City Favorite Son refuses. He then leans forward before reversing into a hammerlock of his own. Kimiko then reaches back and reverses into a side headlock. But again, Gonzales is able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock of his own. Kimiko then reaches back, grabs Gonzales and brings him down with a jumping snapmare. After Gonzales returns to his feet, Kimiko runs at him. So Gonzales side steps and pushes Kimiko into the ropes. When Kimiko returns, Gonzales brings him down with a japanese arm drag. Kimo gets back up, only to be sent back down with another japanese arm drag. Gonzales brings him down for a third time with a traditional arm drag before transitioning into an arm bar.

The ref asks Kimiko if he wants to give up. But he refuses. After Kimiko battles back to his feet, Gonzales pulls him into his team’s corner before Maritza Diaz tags herself in. The crowd cheers as The Power Princess gets in the ring and delivers a clubbing strike across the arm. She then yanks Kimiko’s arm before applying a standing armbar of her own. The ref checks back in with Kimiko and asks if he wants to give up. But Kimiko refuses. He then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and counters with a headscissors takedown. As Diaz gets back to her feet, Kimiko grabs her and goes for an irish whip. But The Power Princess reverses, sending Kimiko into the ropes. When Kimiko returns, he goes to slide through Diaz’s legs. But Diaz reaches down and grabs onto Kimiko’s neck with both hands. She then yanks Kimiko back to his feet before throwing him across the ring with Head Over Heels (overhead choke suplex).

Geoff Penzer: Greta display of power there from The Power Princess, sending Kimiko nearly across the ring with an overhead choke suplex!

After Kimiko bounces off his back, he turns over onto his knees while he holds the small of his back. He then returns to his feet before tagging in Faye Valentine. The crowd boos as Valentine gets in the ring and carefully circles the ring. Diaz never takes her eyes off of her as well. The two then size each other up before heading towards the center of the ring for a lock up. But Valentine ducks under, goes back Diaz and applies a waist lock. After Diaz reaches down and pries Valentine’s arms from around her waist, she reverses into an arm wrench. After refusing to give up, Valentine runs towards the ropes and delivers a springboard arm drag. As Diaz returns to her feet, Valentine runs into the ropes. When she returns, Diaz goes to cut her off with the Miami Express (bicycle knee strike). But Valentine slides underneath. When Diaz turns around, she gets met with a European Uppercut. After another European Uppercut, Valentine sends her into the turnbuckle with an irish whip. She then charges across the ring and nails Diaz with a flying forearm smash. After bringing Diaz from out of the corner, Valentine scoops her up across her shoulders before delivering a rolling fireman’s carry. After Valentine rolls up to her feet, she runs into the ropes. When she returns, she crashes on top of Diaz with a running senton. She turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Diaz kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: A nice series of moves there by Valentine, but it only gets two. As I mentioned earlier, the tag division is starting to heat up. We’ve recently seen an influx in talent like the two teams in the ring right now, as well as Bristow & Barnes. Then at the top, you’ve got the Elysian Empire, the PolyChromatic Lion Attack Squad and the perennial pains in their you-know-what’s, The Keisters. That’s also not even including the likes of Noelle Smith and Brian Stryker, who’ve teamed together on occasion, as well as Heroes Never Die, another part-time team.

Valentine picks up Diaz and goes for an irish whip. But Diaz reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Valentine returns, Diaz knocks her down with a knife edge chop.

Diaz picks up Valentine, moves her into the corner and delivers a series of shoulder thrusts to the midsection. After placing Valentine in a Muay Thai Clinch, Diaz continues her attack with knee strikes to the torso. She then takes Valentine and whips her into the opposite corner. Diaz runs across the ring, but Valentine knocks her back with a boot to the face. Valentine then runs out of the corner to attack. But Diaz wraps her arms around her before throwing her down with a belly to belly suplex. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Valentine gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Another big suplex by Diaz, but it only gets two. When it came to wrestling prospects in 2016, The Power Princess definitely flew under the radar. But now that she’s here in FGA, she’s getting the spotlight she deserves and it’s a spotlight she doesn’t mind sharing with Pedro Gonzales.

Diaz picks up Valentine, brings her over towards her corner and tags Gonzales back in. The crowd cheers when Gonzales gets back in, wrenches Valentine’s arm and whips her into the ropes. When Valentine returns, Gonzales knocks her down with a flying cross chop. Valentine returns to her feet, only to get returned to the mat by another flying cross chop. As Valentine gets back up, Gonzales kicks her in the midsection before planting her with a Devil Lock DDT. he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Valentine gets her shoulder up.

Gonzales picks up Valentine, whips her into the ropes and sets up for a back body drop. When Valentine hits the ropes Kimiko makes the blind tag. When Valentine returns, she slides through Gonzales’ legs. When Gonzales stands up and turns around, Kimiko runs up from behind and delivers a snap bridging German Suplex.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Gonzales gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Kimiko with the sneak attack from behind. It only gets two, but it stops Gonzales and Diaz’s momentum.

Kimiko picks up Gonzales, tags in Valentine and whips him into the ropes. When Gonzales returns, Kimiko drops down to the canvas. So Gonzales goes to hop over him, only to get caught with a running single leg dropkick in mid air from Valentine. The crowd continues to boo as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Gonzales gets his shoulder up.

Valentine picks up Gonzales, moves him into the corner and tags Kimiko back in. Once Kimiko gets in, he nails Gonzales with several shoot kicks to the midsection. After bringing Gonzales out of the corner, Kimiko lifts up Gonzales and delivers a front suplex across the top rope. After dragging Gonzales into position across the top ropes, Kimiko steps back towards the center of the ring. He then charges forward into the corner and connects with a running knee strike to the midsection, knocking Gonzales off the ropes and sending him to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Kimiko nearly knocked the air out of Gonzales as he sent him flying off the apron.

After Gonzales picks himself up on the outside, Kimiko runs back over towards the corner, springboards onto the top turnbuckle, flips off and knocks Gonzales down with a corkscrew moonsault.

Geoff Penzer: The high risk pays off for Kimiko as he wipes out Gonzales!

Kimiko picks up Gonzales and rolls him back inside. He then rolls himself back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Gonzales gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Geoff Penzer: Good ring awareness there from Gonzales.

Kimiko picks up Gonzales, lifts him up onto his shoulders and hoists him up for an elevated sitdown powerbomb. But before Kimiko can throw him down, Gonzales counters with a hurricanrana. As Kimiko returns to his feet, Gonzales runs over and delivers a tilt-a-whirl headscissors, sending Kimiko through the ropes and to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Now it’s Kimiko that’s been sent to the outside. Let’s see what Gonzales does with this there...

As Kimiko gets up on the outside, Gonzales runs into the far ropes. When he returns, the crowd cheers when he knocks Kimiko down with a cartwheel plancha.

Geoff Penzer: Gonzales takes out Kimiko on the floor!

As Gonzales gets up on the outside, Valentine steps into the ring, hurls herself over the top rope and knocks Gonzales down with a suicide somersault senton.

Geoff Penzer: Valentine gets Gonzales back with a flipping dive her her own to the floor!

When Valentine gets up, Diaz runs along the apron, leaps off and knocks her down with a flying forearm.

Geoff Penzer: And now Diaz is getting in on the action! There’s bodies piled up all over the place on the outside as this crowd is going wild here in Springfield!

Kimiko grabs a hold of Diaz and uses the guardrail to plant her with a Tornado DDT.

Geoff Penzer: Just like that, Kimiko drops Diaz with a DDT and swings the match back in his team’s favor.

Kimiko picks up Gonzales and rolls him back inside. After climbing back up onto the apron, Kimiko scales to the top turnbuckle and flips off with a Shooting Star Press. But Gonzales rolls out onto the apron.

Geoff Penzer: He missed! This crowd is on their feet after Kimiko missed the Shooting Star Press. That could’ve been the end for Gonzales right there. But it looks like that might signal the end for Kimiko if he can’t recover in time.

After Gonzales pulls himself up using the ropes, he connects with a senton atomico. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The crowd boos when Kimiko gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Gonzales heads back out onto the apron and waits for Kimiko. When Kimiko returns to his feet, Gonzales goes for a springboard somersault hurricanrana. But as soon as Gonzales lands on Kimiko’s shoulders, Kimiko hoists him up and throws him down with a lifting sitout powerbomb.

Geoff Penzer: What a counter by Kimiko! That has to be it right there!

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd cheers when Diaz dives over and breaks up the pin.

Geoff Penzer: Diaz with the timely save for her man! That elevated sitout powerbomb looked nasty!

As Diaz heads out onto the apron, Kimiko picks up Gonzales, lifts him up across his shoulders and goes for the GTS. On the way down, Gonzales catches his leg. He then swings Kimiko’s leg away from him. But Kimiko uses the momentum to hit Gonzales with a back fist. While Gonzales is dazed, Kimiko runs into the ropes. When he returns, he gets caught with an uppercut to the jaw, followed by an elbow to the face, followed by roundhouse kick to the arm, followed by a legsweep. Gonzales then runs into the corner and returns the favor from earlier with El Destino (springboard corkscrew moonsault).

ONE!
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TWO!
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Valentine dives over and breaks up the pin.

Geoff Penzer: Now Valentine makes the save for her team!

Gonzales picks up Kimiko and sets him up for a German Suplex. But Kimiko nails him with repeated elbows to the face. Once he’s free, Kimiko takes off into the ropes. When Kimiko returns, he turns Gonzales inside out with a single leg running dropkick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The crowd cheers when Gonzales gets his shoulder up.

Kimiko picks up Gonzales and whips him into the corner. He then runs across the ring and goes for a bicycle knee strike in the corner. But Gonzalez catches him. After walking out of the corner, Gonzales delivers a capture suplex lift dropped into a vertical drop brainbuster.

Geoff Penzer: Madness Sets In! Gonzales caught him in mid air and countered with Madness Sets In!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Valentine rushes in to make the save. But Diaz tackles her down
.
THREE!

The crowd cheers when “The Wages of Sin” hits the speakers.

Melanie Sierra: Here are your winners, pedro Gonzales and Maritza Diaz!

The crowd continue to cheer as Gonzales and Diaz get their arms raised in the air…

Geoff Penzer: Good win there by Gonzales and Diaz to start off their FGA careers. It’s a tough loss for Serpent’s Touch, but they can’t keep their heads held low for too lo-, wait, what is this?

… the cheers turn to boos when the audience turns to the entrance way. Stepping through the curtain are Avaset Kaiser and an unknown individual to most of the FGA viewing audience.

Geoff Penzer: That’s Avaset Kaiser! What if she doing here? Who is that with her?

Kaiser continues to stare at her former follow 3GWers in the ring. Diaz looks out and sees Kaiser at the entrance. She then motions for Gonzales to take a look. Once Gonzales gets his eyes on the two, he motions for them to come on down. But Kaiser and the unknown individual just stand back before heading back through the curtain...

[FGA Office]

Cut to backstage where Emery and Effie Elysian are looking up at a mounted monitor that hangs above them. The monitor is playing the ending of the match between the two debuting teams of Pedro Gonzales and Martina Diaz and Serpent’s Touch. Emery watches with a childlike awe, the prospect of one day facing these teams chillingly enticing to him. His FGA World Tag Team Championship belt rests comfortably around his waist. Effie is nowhere as enthused and enthralled as her brother as her attention is frantically switching from the monitor to her phone every two seconds or so.

Effie Elysian: Where the hell is he?

She turns to look down the hallway but doesn’t see who she’s looking for.

Effie Elysian: I’m worried, Em. Lonnie said that he would get himself here, but where the hell is he? There isn’t much time left.

Emery unglues himself from the monitor after the match has ended and gives his sister a sympathetic look.

Emery Elysian: Give him some more time. I’m sure he’s got a reason for being late.

Effie Elysian: He said he didn’t want to be on the same flight as us. I accepted that and booked his flight. He wanted his own room at the hotel and I gave him that too. He said that he’d get himself to the arena, on time, and I trusted him to do that. I wanted to show him that I do respect him as an adult, and he can’t even respect us enough to be on time, Em.

Effie checks her phone again. Still nothing. She closes her eyes and inhales sharply, running a hand through her hair in frustration as she contemplates the possibility of Elon not coming to the show.

Effie Elysian: The reality is that it doesn’t matter what his reason is. He’s your partner, Emery, and he’s supposed to be here to discuss the game plan. We’ve never wrestled a match without one, and he’s picked the worst time to decide that he doesn’t need one. We can’t afford to take Dan and Peaches lightly. I thought we’d made that perfectly clear to him. He wants to be treated like an adult? Well adults have to face the consequences of their actions.

Emery Elysian: You going to hit him again?

Effie’s head swivels in Emery’s direction, a look of innocence on her face.

Effie Elysian: That was just an older sibling reflex. You know, out of love.

Emery rolls his eyes, his eyeballs stopping in the direction of the hallway. He lets out a disappointed sigh, his expression that of someone whose patience is being tested. He shifts his focus back to the monitor, folding his arms as he looks upwards.

Emery Elysian: Lonnie wants us to trust him, so I’m going to trust him to be here for the match. After all that talk on the last Vertigo about how he should be respected because he’s the champion, he can’t afford to not show up. All eyes will be on us later on tonight when we face the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad. Bristow and Barnes...The Keisters...Serpent's Touch...Pedro and Martina…

Effie gives Emery her full attention at the mention of other tag teams.

Emery Elysian:..Any team out there that wants a shot at our titles will be watching and analyzing this match. I expect Dan and Peaches to pull out all the stops tonight in order to legitimize their beliefs that the belts are rightfully theirs. Things we’ve never seen them do before. Things that no amount game planning can prepare you for. Things that will inspire the competition to try it if they see that it works…

Emery pauses, his muscles tensing; his grip on his biceps vice-like. If Effie could see his face she’d see him biting his lip and furrowing his brow from the anxiety; his eyes to aimed at the floor. However it is clear to Effie that the eldest Elysian’s attention is not fully committed to the monitor above him.

Emery Elysian:...Elon knows that this match is important, Fi. He just doesn’t understand how important it is. That’s to be expected when he only just debuted six months ago. He’s at the stage of his career where winning the title is supposed to be enough. No concept of a bigger picture. It isn’t his responsibility to see it yet, no matter how much we want, or need, him to. That’s what me and you are here for. At the end of the day, the bigger picture is the Elysian name. Its legacy. That’s what’s at stake tonight and every night we’re billed to fight in that ring. He’ll see that one day.

A moment of silence passes by after he says this. Effie knew that he’d finished saying his piece on the matter and was once again watching looking to the monitor to placate himself. Nothing more needed to be said. Effie looks down the empty hallway, her gaze hollow and contemplative. The camera slowly pans from Effie to the hallway and begins to zoom in on the deserted foyer.

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

Logan Alexander vs. John Blade

“My Time is Now” hits the speakers as John Blade makes his way out to the stage. Blade heads over and talks to the cameraman as he bounces around a little. He then turns and acknowledges the red hot Tampa crowd, who are chanting “Big John Match” to the tune of his entrance music…

Crowd: BIG JOOOOOHN MAAAAAAATCH!!! BIG JOOOOOOHN MAAAAAAAAAATCH!!! BIG JOOOOOHN MAAAAAAAAATCH!!! BIG JOOOOOHN MAAAAAAAATCH!!!

Blade holds up his “NEVER GIVE UP!” logo flag before tossing it to the fans. Blade turns and salutes the fans before running down towards the ring.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Boston, Massachusetts! Weighing in at 251 pounds! He is “Big John Match” JOOOOOOOOOOOHN BLAAAAAAAAADE!!!

Geoff Penzer: John Blade is looking to get back to his winning ways and get back into Mid-Atlantic Title contention. A win here tonight could put him on the right track. But that’s going to be easier said than done.

“Endless Possibility” begins to play through the arena. Partway through the instrumental opening of the song, the camera begins panning the crowd. It takes a little while, but the camera eventually settles on the sight of Logan Alexander making his way through the crowd as he heads towards the ringside area. He slaps the outstretched hand of fans while others pat him on the arms and back as he makes his way past, with a half smirk on his face as he goes.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 229! He is LOOOGAAAN AAALEXAAANDERRRR!!!

Once he reaches the ringside area, Logan climbs over the ringside barricade at the nearest corner and then makes his way over to the closest set of ring steps and climbs up to the ring apron. From on the ring apron, he regards his opponent already in the ring for a couple of moments, then climbs between the top and middle ropes and enters the ring. He turns towards the near corner and climbs up to the second turnbuckle and spread his arms wide to either side of him, smiling out towards the crowd as he encouraging them on.

He then climbs down and makes his way over to another corner and repeats the process, doing so until he’s been to all four corners of the ring.

After climbing down from the last set of turnbuckles, Logan turns to regard his opponent again before walking over to the side of the ring closest to the timekeeper’s area. He removes his sunglasses and tucks them into a pocket of his jacket. He then removes his jacket and passes it through the ropes to a technician at ringside. He turns to regard his opponent again, while moving to a spot in the corner of the ring across from them. He leans back against the turnbuckles as he awaits the opening bell.

Geoff Penzer: Logan Alexander is returning to the ring after a long three year layoff. Alexander has won championships all over. But that was a long time ago. As he noted earlier, he has been training. It wasn't like he just woke up the other day and decided to give wrestling another go. But even training in the ring versus actually being out here under the lights, it’s two different things. We’ll see what Alexander can do against a determined John Blade.

The bell sounds as Alexander and Blade head towards the center of the ring and lock up. After jockeying for position, Blade gains the advantage with a side headlock. But Alexander is able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock from behind. He then turns Blade around into a side headlock before throwing him down to the canvas with a side headlock takedown. The ref gets down and asks Blade if he wants to give up, but Blade refuses. He then reaches up and pulls Alexander into a headscissors. The ref then asks Alexander if he wants to give up. But Alexander refuses. After turning over onto his knees, Alexander presses down on Blade’s legs, slips out of the headscissors and quickly gets back to his feet. After lifting up one of Blade’s legs, Alexander quickly drops down into a leg grapevine. Blade can be seen cringing in pain as Alexander arches his back and increasing the pressure of the hold. The ref asks Blade if he wants to give up. But Big John Match refuses. After scooting himself back towards the side of the ring, Blade lays down, reaches up and grabs the bottom rope. The ref then gives Alexander until a count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Alexander breaks the hold. After returning to his feet, he waits for Blade in the center of the ring. After Blade gets back to his feet, he circles the ring before inching over towards Alexander and locking up. After jockeying for position, Blade ducks down and then goes behind Alexander to apply a waistlock. But Alexander is able to reach down, pry Blade’s arms from around his waist and performs a standing switch, reversing into a waist lock of his own. Blade then elbows Alexander in the face before reaching down and reversing into an arm wrench. The ref asks Alexander if he wants to give up, When he refuses, Blade delivers another arm wrench. Alexander then spins in place before reversing into an arm wrench of his own. He then transitions into a standing armbar. But Blade uses his free arm to move him into the ropes. The ref then gives Alexander until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Alexander lets go… only to quickly apply a side headlock. Blade then shoves Alexander off of him and into the far ropes. When Alexander returns, Blade knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. He then takes off into the ropes. When Blade returns, Alexander turns over onto his stomach. So Blade hops over him before running into the far ropes. When Blade returns Alexander brings him down with a drop toe hold before transitioning into an STF.

Geoff Penzer: Alexander with yet another submission attempt and he’s really got this one locked in!

The ref asks Blade if he wants to give up. When Blade refuses, Alexander pulls back on the hold.

Geoff Penzer: Alexander knew he couldn’t match power with Blade. So we saw a lot of reversals while trying to wear Blade down with submission attempts. But he’s really got this one locked in right here. He’s gonna be difficult for Big John Match to make it to the rope,s if he even can.

Blade begins to groan as he scratches and claws his way towards the side of the ring. He reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope. The ref then gives Alexander until a count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE…

Alexander breaks the hold. After returning to his feet, he steps back and waits for Blade in the center of the ring. Big John match then returns to his feet and circles the ring before making his way back over to Alexander. After a lockup, Blade uses his strength advantage to move Alexander into the corner. After pressing Alexander up against the turnbuckles, the ref gives both men until a count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both men make a clean break. Before Alexander can grab a hold of Blade, he gets caught with a shoulder thrust to the midsection. After three more shoulders to the midsection, Blade brings Alexander from out of the corner and whips him into the far ropes. When Alexander returns, Blade throws him down with a sitout hip toss. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Alexander kicks out.

Blade picks up Alexander and whips him back into the ropes. When Alexander returns, Blade throws out a clothesline. But Alexander ducks and runs into the ropes. When Alexander returns, Blade knocks him down with a diving shoulder block. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Alexander kicks out.

Blade picks up Alexander and whips him into the ropes. When Alexander returns, Blade goes for a back body drop. But Alexander slips down from behind. Once he applies another waistlock, Blade runs forward, wraps his arms around the top rope and yanks back, sending Alexander off his back and down to the canvas. After Alexander rolls back up to his feet, Blade runs back over to attack. But Alexander counters with an inverted atomic drop, followed by a flatliner. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Blade kicks out.

Alexander picks up Blade and whips him into the ropes. When Blade returns, Alexander throws out a superkick. But Blade catches his foot. He then swings Alexander's leg away from him, grabs him from behind and goes for a belly to back suplex. But Alexander rolls over his shoulder, lands on his feet, grabs Blade from behind and brings him down with an inverted DDT. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Blade gets his shoulder up.

Alexander picks up Blade, grabs him from the side and brings him down with a forward russian leg sweep. He then heads into the corner, climbs up onto the middle ropes, jumps off and delivers a diving elbow drop across the back. Alexander pulls him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Blade gets his shoulder up.

Alexander picks up Blade and whips him into the ropes. When Blade returns, Alexander scoops him up from the side before delivering a pendulum backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Blade gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Another pin attempt by Alexander. It only gets two. Alexander has begun to zero in and target the lower back of Blade. The longer Blade’s back gets worked over, the less likely it’ll be that he can lift Alexander up for The Blade Breaker.

Alexander picks up Blade and throws him down with a scoop slam. After lifting up Blade’s leg, Alexander delivers an elbow drop across it. Alexander returns to his feet, lifts up the left and delivers another elbow drop. He then returns to his feet, lifts up Blade’s leg and delivers a third elbow drop. Once Alexander returns to a vertical base, he lifts up Blade’s leg again and goes for a figure four leg lock. But Blade reaches up and pulls him down into a small package.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Alexander turns over onto Blade…

ONE!
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TWO!
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Blade shifts back over onto Alexander…

ONE!
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TWO!
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Alexander kicks out.

Both men scramble back to a vertical base. But Alexander strikes first with an enzuigiri. While Blade is dazed, Alexander gets back up and runs into the ropes. When Alexander returns, Blade runs right past him and into the ropes. So Alexander slams on the brakes. When he turns around, he gets turned inside out by a running clothesline. Blade makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Alexander gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Big clothesline there from Big John Match! It only gets two, but it was a big momentum changer!

Blade picks up Alexander and goes for an irish whip. But Alexander reverses, sending him into the ropes. When Blade returns, Alexander goes for a back body drop. But Blade slips down from behind. He then turns Alexander around and nails him with three European Uppercuts. After a boot to the midsection, Blade groans as he lifts Alexander up across his back before planting him with an over the shoulder belly to back piledriver. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Alexander gets his shoulder up.

Blade picks up Alexander and throws him down with a scoop slam before stepping out onto the apron.

Geoff Penzer: Blade isn’t known for his aerial prowess. What could Big John Match be looking for here?

Blade scales to the top turnbuckle. He then leaps off and goes for a diving headbutt. On the way down, the crowd cheers when Alexander rolls out of the way.

Geoff Penzer: Nobody’s home! Blade crashes face-first onto the canvas!

After both men slowly return to their feet, Alexander rushes over and throws Blade down with the Chaotic Impact (STO). He then brings Blade back to his feet, lifts him up and plants him with the Chaotic Shockwave (Implant DDT). Alexander goes to Blade’s legs, lifts them up, steps through Blade’s legs, crossed them around his and turns him over into the Perfect Chaos Theory (Edgecator). The crowd cheers as Blade can be heard groaning in pain. The ref asks Blade if he wants to give up. When Blade refuses, Alexander applies more pressure to the lower back by leaning forward. The ref continues to check in with Blade. Big John Match shakes his head… before ultimately tapping out on the canvas.

The crowd cheers when “Endless Possibility” hits the speakers.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, LOGAN ALEXANDER!

The cheers continue as Alexander gets his arm raised.

Geoff Penzer: Logan Alexander picks up the W in not just his first FGA match, but his first match after a three plus year layoff. That’s got to feel good for “Chaos Stryke” to get that first win under his belt. Who knows what’s next for Alexander. But coming up next here on Flashpoint? It’s the former Pride Champion, Molly Reid, going one on one with one third of The Keisters, Kalli Keister!

[FGA Office]

Our cameras cut to the backstage area where we are panned in on the face of “The Chief” Evan Envi to the disapproval of the Springfield audience. Envi wears a blank expression on his face and we pan out, revealing Sadie San Francisco seated next to him, legs crossed, looking at her phone rather than Envi. Envi narrows his eyes and reaches out, smacking the phone with the back of his hand, knocking it into Sadie’s lap. Sadie rolls her eyes toward him.

Sadie San Francisco: Yes?

Evan Envi: “What”? Sadie, did you watch what just happened out there a few moments ago?

Sadie slowly turns, giving Evan an indistinguishable look.

Sadie San Francisco: Yeah, I was watching.

The camera pans out more, revealing “The Queen of Mean”, NEON who stands at Evan’s other side, watching the replay of the match on her own phone with a look of annoyance.

NEON: Probably wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t wasting so much time trying to teach Sadie over here how to be proper. It’s okay, baby. You were obviously distracted. And exhausted. And…

Sadie’s eyes roll again, this time toward NEON, but it's just met with a deep laugh.

NEON: Please modify the look you’re giving me, Sadie. When you and I become the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, Evan and I will know our hard work and the sacrifices we made, like tonight, paid off. Look at him. He donated his mind, body, and soul to the cause. For you. He had nothing left to give the people out there.

NEON strokes the back of Evan’s head as she continues, pulling his cheek down onto her shoulder.

NEON: Sometimes we’re too selfless for our own good, aren’t we, baby?

Evan nods solemnly. Out of his line of sight, NEON smirks at Sadie. Evan gives Sadie a “she's right” type of look, but his expression softens a bit after a few short moments and he stands upright, looking at Sadie for a long period of time before he speaks.

Evan Envi: Look. You've just been in your own head, man. I get it, okay? But working with NEON-- that’s how you’re gonna get out of this slump. Next week you have your own business to handle… and she’s gonna lead you every step of the way.

Evan’s look grows distant.

Evan Envi: They’re gonna start taking us seriously, man…

Evan closes his eyes, taking a breath. Opening them up again after a few moments, his jaw tightens. His fingers clench into fists.

Evan Envi: They will, if it kills us.

Boos resonate throughout the arena as our scene slowly fades to black on the scowl of Evan Envi.

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

Brian Stryker is seen backstage, his son Richie, standing on top of some equipment boxes. Brian is playing around as his son laughs.

Brian Stryker: What did I say about climbing? You little monkey!

He keeps tickling Richie, who’s having the time of his life as he tries to stop his dad. As the two continue to have a moment of father/son bonding, Flashpoint’s Amanda Johnson walks up, having a smile on her face.

Amanda Johnson Brian, care to give us a moment?

Brian looks at Amanda as he picks Richie up, who turns his attention to his new hot wheel he got for his birthday.

Brian Stryker: Yeah sure. Fire away.

Amanda smiles as she turns to face the camera.

Amanda Johnson Amanda Johnson here with Brian Stryker. Brian, first night of Flashpoint, how does it feel to be a part of it?

Brian Stryker: Feels good Amanda. Feels like we’re doing something big. Maybe 10-15 years from now, people will look back on this card and be amazed that this was when things got started. And I plan on helping FGA start Flashpoint off with a bang.

Amanda Johnson Speaking of starting off with a bang, you are facing off against the Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion AMIRA in a non-title match. What does this mean for you?

Brian Stryker: What does it mean? It means that management believes they got a future champion on their hands. And they do. I am a future champion in FGA, it’s just a matter of time. Beating AMIRA? That’s just the first step. Beat the champ, get the shot, win the gold. It’s a simple process that always works. People want to keep looking past me and that’s fine. I’ll just keep making my life more fun by winning and making them eat crow. I’m 30 years old. I’ve been wrestling for almost half my life. I was a veteran before some of these wrestlers were even tying their boots up in training.

My entire career has been proving people wrong. I’m not gonna stop now. People think I can’t make it here in FGA. They are wrong. People call me a cancer and want me out of this business. They are wrong. People think I can’t win anything. They will be wrong. I’m sticking my claim to this gold mine right now. I will become the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. And I start tonight by pinning AMIRA right there in the ring. Flashpoint is about changing the timeline, watch me change my future by staking my claim to the belt.

Brian smirks as he looks at Richie, he starts to tickle him again as he turns and walks off.

Brian Stryker: Don’t think you’re off yet. No more climbing boxes at daddy’s work, you little monkey boy!

[FGA Office]

Molly Reid vs. Kalli Keister

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Chelmsford, England, weighing in at 150 pounds … KALLI KEISTER!

“Do I Wanna Know” by The Arctic Monkeys plays throughout the arena as Kalli Keister steps out from behind the curtain, and to make a change, she’s alone. The crowd immediately begin booing as the buxom Briton twirls on the spot, with her arms raised above her head.

Geoff Penzer: It’s not often we see The Keisters in singles matches, but this is the first of two in the coming weeks. On Vertigo next week we’ll see her sister Kimmi in triple threat action against Dan Herrera and Elon Elysian. But tonight Kalli has a tough challenge on her hands as she faces Molly Reid.

Kalli climbs up the steps and enters under the middle rope. The crowd continue booing as Kalli poses, leaning out over the top rope as she blows a kiss to the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: And here comes Molly Reid!

The lights in the arena dim as The Greatest by Sia begins to play over the loudspeakers in the arena. A spotlight appears on the stage as Molly Reid walks out in her wrestling gear, bouncing around with a slight smirk on her face. She stares down to the ring before smacking her chest a few times and beginning to walk down the ramp.

Melanie Sierra: And her opponent, from Los Angeles, California. Weighing in at 122 pounds. She is MOLLY REID!

Once Molly gets near the ring, she sprints, dives into the ring and jumps up, indifferent to the crowd’s reaction. Molly runs to a turnbuckle and jumps onto the second rope, posing for the crowd once more, before climbing down and moving to her corner with a smirk still on her face as she takes off her hat and sunglasses, preparing to start the match.

Geoff Penzer: A rather daring new look from the former Pride champion here.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors emerge from their corners. As they lock up collar and elbow Kalli manages to overpower her opponent, pushing Molly back into a corner. The referee calls for a break, which he gets after four seconds, before Kalli delivers a hard chop to the chest. And another. Molly is reeling as Kalli grabs her in a headlock and rakes her eyes across the top rope.

Geoff Penzer: Kalli Keister starting off strong here, even if she’s not necessarily fighting cleanly.

Reid falls to the mat as Kalli stomps at her prone foe, before resting one boot across Molly’s throat as Kalli leans out over the top rope, blowing a kiss out at the booing crowd. The referee counts for the break again, and Kalli releases the choke at the count of four. She drags Molly up to her feet, freaking out slightly at the touch of Molly’s freshly shaved head. But Keister collects herself enough to send the former Pride champion against the ropes. A Samoan drop ensues, and Kalli hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
KICKOUT!

With a sigh, Kalli brings her opponent back to her feet again, doing her best to avoid touching Molly’s head. Some forearm shots to the face back Reid into the corner again before Kalli sends her from pillar to post with an Irish whip. Keister follows her opponent in with a leaping splash – NO! Molly dives out harm’s way and Kalli slams chest first into the turnbuckle!

Reid fires off lefts and rights, backing Kalli into the corner again, before the former Pride champion unleashes some fierce shoot kicks to the chest. A spinning backfist to the side of the head connects, and Kalli slumps into a seated position. Molly runs across the ring, coming back with a cannonball senton and a loud cheer from the crowd!

Kalli rolls out onto the apron, using the top rope to pull herself back up to her feet as Molly runs against the ropes, coming back with a triangle dropkick that knocks Kalli Keister off the apron all the way down to the mats on the outside. Molly poses in the center of the ring, drawing another cheer from the crowd as she waits for Kalli to get back to her feet on the outside.

Geoff Penzer: What does she have planned here?

Kalli stands back up on the outside, but Molly is already on the move; she runs against the far ropes, coming back with a tope con hilo that knocks Kalli Keister right back down again. The action quickly re-enters the ring as Molly rolls her opponent in under the bottom rope. Kalli is quick to her feet, only for Molly to catch her with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. She re-enters the ring herself with a slingshot DDT before covering Kalli.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
KICKOUT!

Kalli gets the shoulder up, and Molly looks slightly disappointed. Undeterred, she drags Keister back to her feet and sends her crashing face first into the top turnbuckle. Kalli slumps into the corner, and Molly wastes no time in unleashing more shoot kicks to the chest. After taking a run up, Reid comes back with a handspring back elbow! Kalli staggers out of the corner and falls down near the ropes as Molly sets off across the ring once again, this time coming back with a rolling thunder as she covers.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
KICKOUT!

Geoff Penzer: Molly trying to end this one early, but Kalli kicks out again.

Molly takes a moment to rally the crowd again as she waits from Kalli to pick herself up using the ropes. She’s resting across the middle rope, and Molly seizes the chance to run in with a leapfrog body splash – NO! Kalli rolls out of the way, and Molly lands on the apron – only to get clocked by a huge headbutt! Kalli doesn’t seem phased by the impact at all, but Molly is spun around by the impact; she clutches onto the top rope to stay upright, but Kalli reaches over and brings Molly crashing back into the ring with a reverse suplex … before floating over into a pin attempt.

Except Molly is face down on the mat. Kalli asks the referee why he isn’t counting, and he tells her that Molly needs to be on her back. The crowd’s laughter does little to warm Kalli to them at all; she pouts and stomps her foot, but lifts Molly back to her feet regardless. With one arm, Kalli hooks her opponent in a front facelock as she signals for the end.

But Molly manages to push Kalli away mid-move! The former Pride champion lunges forward and ducks under the weak clothesline attempt before springboarding off the middle rope for Get Down! (flying crossbody). Molly rolls through and stands in a three point stance on the far side of the ring as she waits for Kalli to stand up.

Geoff Penzer: Get Down! And Stay Down, Kalli Keister!

He says as Molly launches herself forward with a Superman punch! Down goes Kalli Keister, and Molly drops on top of her, hooking both legs as she covers.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!!!

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, MOLLY REID!

"The Greatest" begins playing again as Molly climbs up onto the turnbuckle to celebrate her victory. The crowd cheering her once more as she does so.

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

Standing in the middle of the ring, already in his ring gear is the man who calls himself "Your Hero, And Mine", Mark Storm.

Mark Storm: Number one. 

Clearing his throat, he pauses; holding one finger up in the air as he looks down at the canvas.

Mark Storm: That's what everybody wants to be. That's what we all aspire to be. The number one competitor, in the number one promotion. And I've wrestled all over the globe. The dome's of Tokyo, the halls of the UK, the streets of New York, more places than anybody in the industry right now. But even through all of that, none of it even equates to this place right here - the number one promotion in the world, Frontier Grappling Arts. 

He doesn't pause out of willingness, but instead he's forced to, as the audience react with applause and cheers over his statement of Frontier Grappling Arts being the number one promotion in the world. He isn't afraid to smile, nodding his head in appreciation of the audience's reaction. Raising his microphone back up to his moisturized lips, he continues. 

Mark Storm: I've had three stints here. And with each stint, the competition has got harder. The guys and gals in the back, they're constantly evolving, and hell, that's a completely different locker room to when I first started here. But the guys and gals we have in the back right now, they're just as good. They're just as hungry. We're all hungry for success here in Frontier Grappling Arts. But I've been here for three stints now, and every time I come back, I get better too.

Picking up things from everywhere I go and incorporating it into my style, enhancing myself, becoming better as a whole. But even though I get better, there's always something that drags me out of here, there's always something that holds me back from reaching my full potential. And it kills me, because I know if I stick around long enough, I can really.. make something of myself here. I'm tired of the glimpses of potential. I've grown tedious of the back and forth comebacks. From this day moving forward, I want you to know that I'm here for the long run.

An applause ensues from the audience who also begin to cheer for Mark as he stands in the middle of the ring, looking around the arena with a smirk upon his lips.

Mark Storm: I won't stop, I can't stop, until I reach the pinnacle. But I know that there's a lot of people in the back who don't think I'm serious about this. They think I go into promotions, look for a title shot and if it doesn't go my way, there goes Mark Storm. But we'll see him a few months down the line. There's a lot of guys in the back who doubt me but they've doubted me since day one, they've doubted me since I made my meteoric rise elsewhere. Believing that I'm not as good as people make me out to be. I just wanna address all those guys and gals, who I know are watching this in the back right now. You're wrong. 

You're wrong about me and you always have been. The fact remains that I am the hardest working professional wrestler in the world. The fact remains, there's no denying that, there's no one remotely close to me when it comes down to graft. To the mastering of your craft. Last year, when I came back to Frontier Grappling Arts, it was the best stint that I had and I went on to beat multiple men and women, who people wrote me off against. They thought that I couldn't do it. They thought that I wouldn't do it. But I did, because that's what I do. I prove people wrong. It's become part of the job description. But I went away, and abandoned you all and I don't expect you all to understand. I don't. Because I don't understand the full throttle of it myself, but know that me going away, it made me stronger. But that doesn't excuse me from leaving you all, and I apologize for that. 

"YOUR OUR HERO!

YOUR OUR HERO!

YOU OUR HERO!"

The chants echo through the arena and Storm stands tall, composing himself and embracing the love of the fans, his signature smirk transitioning into a jubilant grin from ear to ear. He waits patiently for the chants to die down, dropping onto one knee and looking up to the heavens.

Mark Storm: There's so much more I have to give.  

Taking a deep breath.

Mark Storm: There's so much more, I have to do. YOUR HERO, AND MINE!

Dropping the microphone, a Short Change Hero by The Heavy blasts through the speakers and Storm rises to his feet, hoisting himself up onto the turnbuckle and raising his arms up to the audience, as they cheer and applaud him.

[FGA Office]

We catch up with Cherry Baum as she anxiously paces back and forth in one of the corridors in the MassMutual Center's backstage area, and she's pacing back and forth with such a pace that it would almost be feasible to harness her nervous energy to power the city of Springfield for the remainder of the weekend

Having paced back and forth for a good few moments, finally Cherry snaps and pulls out her phone, poking and swiping with impressive speed to dial one of her contacts

Cherry Baum: Okay, where the...?

Upon hearing the answer, a befuddled look appears on Cherry's face

Cherry Baum: ...really? You're still there? I thought you said...I'll be right there.

Once she ends the call, Cherry picks up the pace and briskly walks along the corridor, pausing for a moment to check off how many doors she has passed due to the slight issue that the backstage area looks pretty much exactly the same

Upon reaching the door she was looking for, Cherry makes her way inside to see Johnny Karma sat on a bench with an intense focus in his eyes, so intense in fact he hasn't yet changed into his ring gear even though he has a match this evening - and, frankly, it looks as if he has lost all track of time as he is focusing on whatever it is that is going around in his head

Cherry Baum: So...I don't suppose I can offer a penny for your thoughts?

Rather than respond immediately, there's a flicker of recognition on Karma's face as he slowly recognises that Cherry's in the room with him, as if a fog is slowly lifting from his field of view

Johnny Karma: ...hey, what's up?

Cherry Baum: What's up? You said you'd call me when you'd gotten ready for tonight;s match, and that was almost half an hour ago. I even had to call one of the gofers to check in on you, because we all remember what happened the last time I walked in on you when...well, you know.

Cherry attempts to move swiftly on from that subject by clearing her throat, which doesn't distract one iota from how her face is now flushed

Cherry Baum: So what's on your mind?

Having asked the question, Cherry slides herself onto the bench next to Karma as she hopes for a response

Johnny Karma: Nothing. Everything. A whole lot of the stuff between the two.

Cherry Baum: Stuff such as...?

Letting out a light sigh, Karma assesses his current situation

Johnny Karma: It's never one thing, is it? Every time I try to do anything, there's always something that gets piled on top of it because nothing is ever allowed to be straightforward. It should be the most straightforward thing in the world: a shot at the title that nobody can say I didn't earn, but then things go and get...

Rather than say what's on his mind, instead Karma illustrates his point by miming a straight line - then veering off in a random direction with the finesse of a hummingbird that's gulped down three cans of energy drink

Johnny Karma: ...and now I find myself fighting fires, literally, and I've got somebody telling me that, if I wouldn't mind, I should take a backseat and put aside the match I have literally spent years preparing for. How does this keep happening? All I wanted was something nice, something simple, something where all the near-misses, all the times I've been overlooked, everything else I've endured finally got washed away in the moment where I see the ref's hand come down for the third time and know that, in a matter of seconds, I will have the title passed to me. Because when you put aside all the drek for a moment, that's literally all that I need to do - and everything on top of that is a bonus, a value add, a reason for the moment to feel that much sweeter...unless you're Mr & Mrs Anders, but I get the feeling they're kinda indifferent to whatever their little princess gets up to.

With a wry smile, Karma finally starts to loosen up a bit

Johnny Karma: I mean, I knew that winning the GRR wasn't a coronation because I knew that was the first step on the road rather than the destination, but now I've got Cordy coming in saying they should be first in line, and of course Izzy's hoping to divide and conquer in the hope that she can sneak out the door at the end of the match because of it. But you know...

Coming to a satisfying conclusion, Karma slaps his hands together

Johnny Karma: ...on the plus side, at least I get the chance to push myself beyond my limits tonight so I can prove that I'm the guy who should get their title shot, because that's not going to run the risk of coming back to haunt me in the very near future.

Cherry Baum: ...

Johnny Karma: It's all for a good reason, though: if I can wake up tomorrow and say that, in my last three matches, I've beaten Chandler Scott and Cordy Stevenson and won the Gold Rush Rumble, doesn't that say something that Izzy Anders keeps refusing to acknowledge, namely that she's already peaked while I keep ascending? When it's put like that, no wonder she's got nothing to say other than "Look at me, I can burn things!" at the top of her voice in the hope that people keep paying attention - because in the slimmest of chances things actually go the way I wish they would, nobody'll be talking about her for a second longer than they have to.

As it suddenly dawns on him that he has a match to prepare for, Karma finally looks towards Cherry, and then looks to the bag where his ring gear has been sitting this entire time

Johnny Karma: ...so, yeah, I should probably...

Cherry Baum: Oh, right...

Cherry gets up off the bench and walks towards the door

Cherry Baum: Give me a call when you're ready, 'k?

Giving an affirmative nod to Cherry, Karma unzips his bag and begins to pick up his ring gear, whilst Cherry heads out the door to give Karma a little bit of privacy as he prepares for his match.

[FGA Office]

AMIRA vs. Brian Stryker

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

The beginning of Red Flag plays as the guitar intro hammers out into the arena. Brian Stryker walks out from behind the curtain, his hood up. Brian walks to the center of the stage. He gets down on one knee and runs his hand over the floor of thee stage. He rises to his feet and throws his hood back.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, making his way to the ring, hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, weighing in at two hundred and fifteen pounds… BRIAAAANNN STRYYYKERRRR!

He walks down the ramp, not taking his eyes off the ring. When he gets to the steel steps, he walks up them and climbs the turnbuckle to the top. He looks out to the crowd before holding out his arms before hopping down onto the floor.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, hailing from Los Angeles California…

The audience grows louder, boos overtaking the arena as Melanie continues.

Melanie Sierra: She is the FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion…

The arena darkens, then the stroke of a single piano key echoes through the sound system. A spotlight begins illuminating the stage as a woman's voice sings, accompanied by the soft sounds of a violin.

AMIRA

AMIIIRRAAA

The violin instrumentals intensify as none other than the artist formerly known as Skylar Cloud, the one and only AMIRA emerges from the darkness, standing in the spotlight with her arms extended outward.

AMIRA, she's the best! Better than all the rest!

She slowly starts making her way to the ring, with the lights now strobing around her, revealing the-- overtly custom-- championship around her waist.

Geoff Penzer: And here comes our… um... ever-popular, reigning Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. Clearly she needs no introduction.

AMIRA, she's so cool! Over you, she will rule!

Jeering fans in the front row tries to get her attention as she approaches the ringside area, but she chooses to ignore them and head up the ring steps.

Sheeee used to say to reach for the SKYYYY-lar; now she crushes all who deffyyy her! She's witty, strong and has no fear; the age of AMIRA is heeere!

After stopping in the middle of the ring apron with her back to the ropes, she raises a fist in the air, before stepping into the ring, where she unstraps the championship and, in a similar display, raises it high above her head. The lights start to return as she takes the center of the ring. The music fades out. AMIRA hands her gaudy belt off to the referee and looks over her shoulder, back at Brian Stryker who smirks in anticipation of the contest.

Geoff Penzer: If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching AMIRA, even back in the Lion’s Den days under a slightly different name, it’s that she’s never short on confidence when she’s in that ring-- or likely anywhere. But she’s standing across the ring from a veteran in Brian Stryker who would love to knock off the champion here and have the opportunity to get his name out there for title contention. And there’s the bell!

The bell sounds and Stryker is quick to move out of his corner, preparing to go low as he moves toward AMIRA. She goes for a straight elbow but Stryker manages to drop to a knee, picking the leg and sending AMIRA with a single-leg takedown! Quickly, Stryker goes to pull her other leg up, but AMIRA brings both knees back, kicking Stryker away! Stryker rolls through and back up to his feet. He rushes at the stirring AMIRA for a Dropkick, but AMIRA evades it with a backflip to a mixed reaction from the audience, prompting Stryker to land on his back. AMIRA strides forward-- but Stryker pulls himself up into a handstand position and throws her overhead with a Headscissors! AMIRA stumbles to her feet, more disoriented than hurt, staggering toward the corner.

Geoff Penzer: And these two exploded out of the gate right at the beginning, here with Stryker perhaps taking a page out of Dom Harter’s book from Only the Strong Survive! Stryker’s looking for the upperhand and AMIRA’s not in a great place-- not with the way the gears in Stryker’s head are turning!

Stryker rushes forward, blasting AMIRA with a elbow in the corner before landing the CCS Enzuigiri! AMIRA stumbles out of the corner and to her knees, clutching the side of her head.

Geoff Penzer: Stryker’s got the champion reeling!

Stryker hoists AMIRA upright, positioning himself behind her and hoisting her up for the Pumphandle…

Geoff Penzer: And we could see the Freak Accident! AMIRA is in trouble! AMIRA--

...AMIRA rakes at Stryker’s eyes as he turns away from the ref. Loosening his grip with a cry, AMIRA drops down behind him and rolls out of the ring. She shakes her head in annoyance, placing her hands on her hips, pacing for a moment before storming over to the timekeeper and demanding her belt. The referee demands that AMIRA get back into the ring but she ignores him, taking the belt in her hand. Over a nearby microphone, the audio board can be heard whispering ”Amiiiirrraaaaaa…!” which draws the ire of the Springfield audience. AMIRA holds it above her head, allowing the name to be stated again as the multicolored lights flash brilliantly with no rhyme or reason-- but the audience suddenly begins to come alive!

Geoff Penzer: All due respect to her “finest craftsman”, perhaps AMIRA should look for another location to seek inspiration! Here comes Stryker!

AMIRA grins, holding her arms out to her side, believing the sudden roar is for her. She turns around… and Stryker leaps onto the top rope before springboarding to the outside for a high Cross Body Press!

Geoff Penzer: A modified Flight of the-- OH!

AMIRA rolls out of the way and Stryker crashes into the side of the announce table! He howls in agony and the audience groans in empathy. AMIRA shoves her title belt back into the chest of the timekeeper and delivers a punt to Stryker’s ribs for good measure while the ref looks on at a loss. AMIRA hoists Stryker up by his arm and hair before swinging him into the steel steps! Stryker slumps against them, allowing AMIRA to stride past him and climb into the ring, yelling at the referee, ”commence the countdown, you imbecile!”

Geoff Penzer: And AMIRA might take this one pretty early by way of countout.

”ONE!”





“TWO!”





“THREE!”





“FOUR!”





“FIVE!”





“SIX!”





Stryker pulls himself to his feet using the apron, and then the bottom rope.

Geoff Penzer: Stryker at the seven-count, trying to pull himself back into this, but what’s AMIRA up to now?




”SEVEN!”






“EIGHT!”

AMIRA looks jittery for a moment before turning toward the audience with a knowing smirk, holding her arms out to her side. She shoots the ropes just as Stryker uses the bottom rope to pull himself upright. She rebounds for a Baseball Slide, but Stryker ducks past her and slides into the ring to a pop! AMIRA glares back at Stryker and slides into the ring herself. As Stryker returns to his feet, AMIRA rushes forward and blasts him with a jumping knee strike! The shot sends Stryker down and AMIRA pummels him with hard lefts and rights to the head and neck while the veteran attempts to cover up.

”BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Geoff Penzer: Brian Stryker beat the ref’s ten-count but he’s paying for it in the ring and… the ref’s gonna have to stop being so lenient and get in there. AMIRA is laying the fists on a prone Brian Stryker, and-- oh-- wait a minute!

As AMIRA goes to pull Stryker up by his hair, Stryker takes her down with the leg pick again and this time grabs the second leg, flipping over into a jackknife pin!

Geoff Penzer: Stryker surprises her! First pin of the matchup, maybe the last!

ONE
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
THRE-!

AMIRA pops a shoulder off the mat to a collective gasp and groan from the audience. Stryker pulls himself back to his feet alongside AMIRA. He throws a right hand, catching her in the jaw! AMIRA reels and Stryker nails a leaping Enzuigiri! AMIRA sinks to a knee and Stryker scrambles to his feet, shooting the ropes. AMIRA rushes forward but Stryker plants his smaller opponent with a vicious Running Hurricanrana! AMIRA bounces off of the mat and Stryker rolls into a cover, hooking both legs!

ONE
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
THRR…!

Geoff Penzer: And the champion with another gutsy kickout at the count of two! What a comeback here by Brian Stryker!

Stryker throws his hair back, taking a breath before rolling to the outside of the ring. He ascends to the top turnbuckle, watching AMIRA push herself upwards-- and Stryker leaps off, crashing down across the base of AMIRA’s neck with a Diving Leg Drop! The audience roars as AMIRA is smashed into the canvas, but the impact sends her beneath the bottom rope and out to the apron to a chorus of boos. Still holding his ribs from the earlier crash, Stryker rises to his feet and goes to the ropes trying to pull AMIRA back into the ring but the referee warns him off as AMIRA clutches the middle rope in desperation. He warns Stryker off with a five count with Stryker breaks at one. He backs into the center of the ring, allowing the referee to check on AMIRA… before shooting the far ropes and rebounding, nailing a leaping Dropkick to the small of AMIRA’s back as she sits upright on the apron, sending her face-first to the ground below!

Geoff Penzer: Huge impact by Stryker! AMIRA looks like she’s down but… but Stryker’s rolling out of the ring to collect her anyway! He wants a decisive win over the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion!

Stryker gets AMIRA up onto his shoulders and goes to bring her to the apron but AMIRA drives the point of her elbow into the crown of Stryker’s head two times. Stryker falls to a knee and AMIRA blasts him with a toe kick to the jaw! The smack echoes throughout the arena and the audience groans… and AMIRA follows up with a Rolling Koppu Kick, sending Stryker crumpling to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Oh my God! Two sickening shots!

The referee scolds AMIRA to get back into the ring, which she does, though she never takes her eyes off of Stryker. As she rises to her feet, her eyes extend to her sides again, though lacking the typical grin to accompany it. Stryker sits upright and it’s evident that blood is trickling from his hairline at this point. He sits upright and AMIRA nudges the ref. After shaking his head in clear frustration, he begins his count.

”ONE!”





“TWO!”





“THREE!”


Geoff Penzer: Brian Stryker is not doing too hot on the outside and you have to think people like Sadie San Francisco and NEON and especially Lowri Moss are watching this closely, watching the way AMIRA goes after Brian Stryker even in this non-title contest. They’ve all got their eye on the-- currently… interesting-looking-- gold, but AMIRA is looking to take Stryker completely out of the conversation.


”FOUR!”





“FIVE!”





“SIX!”

The audience pops as Stryker, despite the crimson line running down the center of his face, climbs onto the apron. He groggily pulls himself through, only to be rushed by AMIRA with a flurry of right knee strikes! The audience boos and the referee eventually pushes AMIRA off, but it only serves as momentum for AMIRA to shoot the ropes and come back for a Scissors Kick to the back of the head of the rope-hung Stryker, driving him down into the ring! AMIRA pushes him into the pin, hooking the far leg!

ONE
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
THRRRRRRE-!

Stryker throws his shoulder up, emphatically, and AMIRA looks to be ready to throw a tantrum-- but abruptly calms herself, taking a dramatic deep breath. She climbs to her feet and delivers a vicious stomp to Stryker’s heart. Stryker groans, but looks to be incapacitated. AMIRA looks between him and the turnbuckles for a moment before she steps to the apron and immediately ascends to the top turnbuckle.

Geoff Penzer: And here’s something we don’t necessarily see everyday! AMIRA’s up-top and she could only be thinking about one thing!

The audience responds with a mixed reaction as AMIRA begins to rise to her feet on the top turnbuckle… but without warning, Stryker kips up! The audience explodes as Stryker rushes the turnbuckles, leaping to the top, using the adjacent top rope as a stringboard before nailing AMIRA with a Super Frankensteiner, sending her from the top, crashing to the center of the ring! AMIRA’s mouth opens in a silent “O” of agony and Stryker forces her up by her arm from behind. He hooks her left leg and drives her to the mat with the Leg-Hook Saito Suplex!

Geoff Penzer: STRYKE 2!

Stryker pins AMIRA”s shoulders to the mat and the ref slides into the count!

ONE
.
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
.
THR--!

AMIRA throws her shoulder off of the mat, rolling onto her stomach as the audience goes wild. Stryker lies on his back, hands over his face, attempting to will himself back into the contest.

Geoff Penzer: I don’t know how much damage Brian Stryker has taken, but one big move puts him in position for a victory! One more big move could give him that much-needed win over the new Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion! And now he’s back up to his feet…

Stryker is clearly breathing heavily as he beckons AMIRA back to her feet. She rises upright but ducks beneath a running Clothesline attempt from Stryker. She turns and blasts him with a straight elbow strike to the temple before nailing a front kick to the left knee, sending it out from beneath Stryker. Before he can even land, AMIRA nails a Reverse Side Kick, sending him down onto his face! AMIRA kneels down in the corner and glares at Stryker in silence, waiting for him to rise as the audience rallies behind him with chants of ”LET’S GO STRYKER!” Briefly, we cut to a shot of the backstage area where we see NEON standing with an elbow propped up on the shoulder of Sadie San Francisco as they watch the match from the backstage area.

Geoff Penzer: There we see Camp Envi, who have their eye on AMIRA’s title… and I don’t like the way the champ is looking at Stryker as he gets up here. Measuring him, and--!

AMIRA rushes forward for the Slingblade, but out of nowhere Stryker counters with a Ura-Nage style Backbreaker! AMIRA screeches in pain, flopping to the canvas as Stryker falls to his elbows and knees right next to her.

Geoff Penzer: Huge counter by Stryker but he may not be able to capitalize on the champion!

The ”LET’S GO STRYKER!” chant continues and Stryker rises to his feet again, still favoring his ribs a bit. He grabs AMIRA by the hair for a moment, to rush her face-first into the turnbuckles! AMIRA staggers back and Stryker scales the turnbuckles in front of her, balancing on one foot on the top before diving off with a Corkscrew Moonsault! The referee looks on in shock, but Stryker eventually maneuvers himself into a pinning attempt, hooking the leg, nodding for the ref to count.

ONE
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
THRE-!

Geoff Penzer: Again, AMIRA kicks out!

Stryker runs a hand through his hair in frustration before he slides out of the ring, going out to the apron again.

Geoff Penzer: One more time, Stryker’s going to the top! I think the audience knows what to expect here!

Stryker nods as an “Air Strike!” chant gains traction in the front few rows. Ascending to the top, he measures AMIRA before leaping off for the Shooting Star Press into the Leg Drop…

...but AMIRA rolls out of harm’s way! Stryker yells out as he lands in a seated position, pain jolting up his spine. He falls to his side, arms around his ribs again, roughly pushed into a cover by the champion! The ref drops to make the count!

ONE
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
Kickout!

Geoff Penzer: Stryker came up short and AMIRA is swiftly sliding back into the driver’s seat.

AMIRA climbs upright and throws stomp after stomp at her opponent’s body. As Stryker sits upright, AMIRA rears back and nails a knife-edged chop across the face! The already-bloodied Stryker is knocked back, but sits back up again with a look of determination to a pop from the crowd. Narrowing her eyes, AMIRA nails a second chop! Stryker falls down to an elbow. In frustration, he pushes himself upright, but AMIRA is prepared, leaping from foot to foot to deliver a series of jumping toe kicks to Stryker’s hurt ribs! Stryker cries out, falling back into the corner. AMIRA runs to the opposite corner before rebounding with a cartwheel into a jumping high kick, the SMACK! sending shockwaves through the arena! Stryker is felled, taken to the canvas. AMIRA drags him from the corner, onto his back again to drive a forearm across his face for the cover.

ONE
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
THRE-!

Stryker kicks out and with a grunt of frustration, AMIRA drives an elbow into his temple before covering him again, this time hooking both of his legs!

ONE
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
THRRR--!

Geoff Penzer: He won’t stay down! This audience is coming alive behind Brian Stryker right now and AMIRA looks completely done with this situation.

The champion shakes her head at Stryker, watching him use the corner to pull himself up. She rushes forward for a Running Front Dropkick, but Stryker side-steps her, allowing her to crash hard into the turnbuckles, straddling the middle! She manages to pull herself out, but Stryker takes advantage of the positioning and climbs over AMIRA, locking her in the Tarantula!

Geoff Penzer: Brian Stryker with the tarantula! It’s not legal and it’s not gonna win him this match but look at the pain etched all over the champion’s face!

AMIRA screams out, yelling for the ref to “DO SOMETHING!” To his credit, the referee attempts to remove Stryker for a moment before initiating the mandatory five-count.

”ONE!”

“TWO!”

“THREE!”

“F…”

Unable to hold it any longer anyway, Stryker falls down to the apron, favoring his ribcage.

Geoff Penzer: And that Flight of the Valkyries that went awry at the beginning of this is still making Stryker pay.

The groggy Stryker goes to collect AMIRA out of the corner, but a reverse side kick to his ribs sends him down again.

Geoff Penzer: Just. That. Quick. Lowri Moss and company have definitely gotta be taking notes here. Look at the look on the face of AMIRA.

AMIRA grins as she steadies herself against the ropes, admiring her damage. Stryker begins to push himself up to his hands and knees… and AMIRA backs into the corner, ascending to the second turnbuckle before leaping off to hit a Mushroom Stomp to Stryker’s spine. Stryker goes flat against the canvas and AMIRA places one foot on the back of his head, extending her arms to her side again to a massive chorus of boos from Springfield. At the top of her lungs, AMIRA begins to sing:

AMIRA: ”AMIRAAA! AMMIIIRRRRAAAAA! AMIRA, SHE’S THE BEST! BETTER THAN ALLL--”

Stryker rolls to his side, forcing the champion off of him. Blood continues to trickle from his forehead as he forces his way up to his feet, but he’s taken back to the mat with a Jumping Spin Kick! AMIRA leans down to pull him upright by the hair, but a sickening shot echoes throughout the arena as Stryker blasts her with a close-range elbow. AMIRA is taken off of her feet from the move to a roar from the audience!

Geoff Penzer: Stryker with one last gasp!

AMIRA stomps her foot in rage and scrambles back to her feet, throwing a closed fist at Stryker, but he captures it and twists her arm before turning her around and nailing the Crossface Chickenwing Suplex into the corner! The audience explodes and AMIRA goes limp!

Geoff Penzer: INSOMNIAC’S DREAM!

Stryker gasps for air as he drags AMIRA out of the corner, a few feet from the turnbuckles. And quickly, he steps through the ropes, fighting through the pain in his body to climb to the top! The audience comes to their feet again as Stryker signals for the end…

Geoff Penzer: He’s looking to put her away with the--

...but AMIRA rolls out of the ring entirely, grabbing her championship from the timekeeper. She climbs over the barricade, staggering into the audience without so much as a glance back to the ring.

”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Stryker looks on in confusion, but the ref has no choice but to make the ten count.

”ONE!”





“TWO!”





“THREE!”





“FOUR!”





“FIVE!”





“SIX!”





“SEVEN!”


Geoff Penzer: I hate to think that this is how the champion is going to let this hard-hitting contest end but… but I can’t even see her anymore!

Stryker looks annoyed, climbing the turnbuckles to catch a better glimpse of AMIRA, who holds her custom title belt close to herself as she storms through the exit of the arena, ignoring the jeers of the fans around her.


”EIGHT!”





“NINE!”





“TEN! Ring the bell, she’s out!”

Geoff Penzer: Wow.

The bell sounds and Brian Stryker shakes his head, disappointed, though a moderate pop ensues anyway. Shakily and groggily, he climbs down from the ropes. Noting the pain in his ribs, the ref raises his own fist, pointing to Stryker to signify victory instead of raising his arm as “Red Flag” hits the PA system.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner as a result of a countout… BRIAN STRYYYKER!

Stryker nods at the ref as he explains the situation, but turns, exiting the ring with a shrug, walking toward the barricade to greet fans that shout for him.

Geoff Penzer: Stryker is walking out of here for a victory by countout-- or maybe by forfeit, if we’re being honest-- but it’s not how he wanted to earn a victory over the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, AMIRA. We know that several eyes have been on this match and on that title, but what are they thinking now? In fairness, AMIRA does live to fight another day, but now so does Brian Stryker.

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★